Kia ora koutou,
I hope 2025 is off to a great start for you and your team.
At Connexis we start the year strong thanks to the positive feedback we received from you with our employer satisfaction rating for 2024 at 96%, and our trainee survey showing 95% satisfaction. While we continue to operate with an uncertain future as we await further government announcements on the future structure of vocational education and training (VET), I’d like to press home the important point that, through this period of ongoing change and consultation, you can rest assured Connexis will continue to provide support to you, your trainees and the wider infrastructure industry.
The latest round of industry consultation on government proposals for the delivery of VET closed on 21 February and is now being reviewed and considered by the Government as it progresses the disestablishment of Te Pūkenga. Connexis has made a submission to the Minister on the options being considered for Work-based Learning (WBL) and we will ensure you are kept up to date with any future developments or announcement. In the meantime, you can find out more about VET proposals on the Connexis website here.
Another important change came into effect as of 1 January 2025, which is that the Apprenticeship Boost is no longer available for our Civil and Water apprenticeship programmes. We are continuing to lobby the Government on behalf of those of you in these industries as we know this is crucial support as you gear up to meet the Government’s Fast-track infrastructure project plans. Please do share with us any impact this will have on the number of apprentices you enrol, and we will pass this to officials.
The final change to be aware of is that as of 1 January 2025, the Fees Free programme switched from being available to first-year trainees, to now being available to final-year trainees (covering the final two years for work-based training or up to $12,000). The way this will be processed is once a trainee has completed their training they can apply for the refund. The refunds will be provided directly to trainees who will need to apply through myIR on Inland Revenue’s website. For our infrastructure employers who pay the training fees, we encourage you to discuss this arrangement with your employee at the time of enrolment. There is an article within the eNews with more details.
Finally, a huge thank you from myself and the team at Connexis for your continued support and engagement. We will keep you updated on any future VET developments and look forward to continuing our work with you through what I hope will be a prosperous, successful 2025.
Read the Connexis eNews – March 2025
Ngā mihi
Kaarin Gaukrodger
Executive Director