From Connexis Thursday July 2, 2026: The next generation of New Zealand women are stepping up to take their place on the country’s major infrastructure projects and work sites. Throughout June, Connexis Girls with Hi-Vis® saw female secondary students from around the country visit their local infrastructure employers to find out more about the career opportunities in industries such as civil construction, …
“I knew I didn’t want to go to university but I loved doing hands-on work and learning in a practical way.”
The answer to that equation for 19-year-old Annabelle Thorpe-Hall was taking on an electrical trade apprenticeship, with ElectriNET, part of the Horizon Energy Group, in Gisborne.
There are four newly-qualified drinking water operators on the Chatham Islands thanks to a recent Connexis training and assessment trip. As well as building local capability, with all four Chatham Island trainees successfully achieving their NZ Certificate Drinking Water Treatment (Level 4), the visit highlights Connexis’ strong commitment to developing skilled water operators in remote communities. Expert assessor and respected water treatment specialist Marty Simpson travelled to the islands …
Kia ora koutou, As we approach the shortest day of the year, we are moving closer toward our 2026 elections with many I’ve talked to hoping that it brings continuity in infrastructure investment and stability to the vocational education and training system that has been in an extended state of change. The recent Budget 2026 announcements brought welcome investment in …
2nd June 2026 Hands-on work experience is key to connecting young women to the wide variety of career opportunities that exist in traditionally male-dominated infrastructure trades, according to one of the industry’s leading training providers. Kicking off this week Girls with Hi-Vis® (GWHV) is an annual month-long series of events developed by Connexis, infrastructure training provider for the civil construction, energy, telecommunications and water industries. Throughout June every year …
The trick for keeping on top of training for recently qualified Survey Field Technician Rob Radu, is breaking the work up into manageable bite-size pieces. “It can be overwhelming when you get all the assessments at once but once you break this down it becomes more manageable,” Rob says. “Have a timeframe for each assessment.” Rob, 21, completed his NZ Certificate Surveying …
Kyle Fuller’s civil and water career began in the UK in 2019 where he worked on pipe installation and maintaining water mains. Then a visit to New Zealand on holiday changed everything. Deciding to move here permanently Kyle began working for his uncle at Final Fusion where he is now a water supervisor and foreman, supporting major contractors and working alongside other …
“I was going to become an electrician, but a friend said I talk too much and I’d go nuts if I was working on my own a lot.” Instead Azra Wenzlick pivoted toward training as a line mechanic, following in the footsteps of both her father and grandfather. “I actually knew about the industry because my granddad, back in the day, was a …
28 April 2026 New Zealand’s energy workforce will showcase the dynamic skills and expertise that power the industry and country at Annual Connection 2026. Line mechanic crews, cable jointers, and energy trainees from across New Zealand will compete in hands-on challenges that showcase their skills, teamwork, and industry expertise in one high-powered event that puts their real-world skills to the …
Gemma Rose would like you to know there are lots of different ways to be an electrician. Gemma, 28, is a Power Technician with Empowered Technical Services in Waikato, where she’s been for the past two years working in high-voltage (HV) and Medium Voltage (MV) substations. Gemma has completed the NZ Certificate Electrical Supply – Power Technician (L5) through Connexis …
