Kia ora koutou
As 2023 draws to a close we have much to be collectively proud of across our combined infrastructure trades community.
As many of you will know the new Government has announced there will be a change in direction for the Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE). As we ready ourselves for any changes in structure I want to take the opportunity to assure you there will be no impact on access to programmes or learning support through this period.
Connexis will continue to enrol learners and provide training in a focused, uninterrupted manner. Our priority remains the needs of our infrastructure employers and learners. We will continue to advocate for and work toward a vocational training system that supports employers and learners in work-based training to address the ongoing skill shortages being felt across industries and regions.
To do this we will continue to work closely with you, our wider community, assessors, providers, and polytechnics to ensure consistency of training and clear pathways to employment within our trades. We will continue to update you as we learn more about changes to our structure in 2024.
For 2024, our focus is to continue to build on the successes we’ve celebrated in 2023. These include the development of sought-after programmes that meet growing industry need, such as our wind farm and road marking programmes, as well as initiatives that improve support for learners, such as the Totara learning app, the Financial Assistance Fund and Outward Bound Scholarship.
We’re continuing to grow the scope and success of events like Annual Connection and Girls With Hi Vis® because they are crucial in helping us amplify and celebrate the career opportunities in infrastructure to job seekers.
We will continue to celebrate our learners as they find success in our industries, often overcoming challenges.
This eNews is dedicated to celebrating what we are here for, our learners and the upskilling of our infrastructure workforce. I hope you enjoy reading a few of the thousands of success stories we have had this year in supporting people to get qualified and have their skills recognised.
In the meantime, have a safe and happy holiday season and we look forward to catching up with you in the new year.
Kaarin Gaukrodger
Executive Director, Connexis | Te Pūkenga
