Kia ora koutou,
Executive Director
The past few months have seen a flurry of activity from the Government with announcements of increased investment and support for New Zealand’s growing infrastructure needs.
This includes: consenting changes to remove barriers for the development of renewable energy sources to deliver to the Electrify NZ plan; the delivery of water services back to local councils who are now responsible for the development of Water Services Delivery Plans under the new approach of Local Water Done Well; and the announcement of 149 Fast Track Projects including 43 transport projects and 22 renewable electricity projects.
Changes to the Vocational Education and Training system
Infrastructure investment will require increased investment in growing our infrastructure workforce, at a time when New Zealand’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) system is under redesign. Public consultation on that redesign closed 12 September 2024 with decisions on the future set up of VET expected in early December 2024. The disestablishment of Te Pūkenga will continue in 2025, with the establishment of new entities for industry training and polytechnics. The current direction is that these be operational 1 January 2026.
Connexis is committed to providing uninterrupted training services and support to the infrastructure industry through the upcoming changes. You will be able to continue to enrol employees into training programmes and our trainees and apprentices will continue to be supported through their training. We are also committed in keeping you well informed of these changes. Please visit our VET Review webpage for updates.
Apprenticeship Boost for 2025 – Civil and Water excluded
More recently the Government announced that as of 1 January 2025, the Apprenticeship Boost will be available for targeted industries. Unfortunately, the scheme will exclude our Civil and Water apprenticeship programmes.
I have been in communication with the Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills, the Hon Penny Simmonds around the negative impact this decision will have on the number of infrastructure apprentices enrolled and the follow-on impact this will have on the local workforce being able to deliver those Fast Track projects identified by the Government as essential in addressing the country’s infrastructure deficit and climate goals. Please do share with your Customer Service Account Manager any impact this will have on the number of apprentices you enrol next year, and we will pass this to officials.
There is good news for our Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) customers, with the ESI apprenticeship programmes included into the Apprenticeship Boost scheme.
Changes to Fees Free – last year and refund to learners
Another important change to be aware of for employers enrolling new learners in 2025, is the Government’s change of first-year Fees Free to final-year Fees Free. There are some critical changes to this policy that will directly impact industry training. See our eNews below for further details.
Industry promotion
A critical and rewarding role we play is in collaborating with our industry partners to attract our future workforce and celebrate the skills of our workforce. Just two successful examples of this are Girls with Hi-Vis® held earlier this year, and Annual Connection, held 22-24 October.
We were also excited to celebrate our Civil companies that invest in training at the CCNZ Training Awards and our outstanding Energy trainees at the Excellence Awards held in Te Awamutu, following Annual Connection.
Congratulations and thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s Annual Connection, and special thanks to Waipā Networks and The Lines Company for co-hosting this year and providing a warm welcome. It’s always a highlight to see the fierce competition mixed with industry camaraderie as New Zealand’s top lineys and jointers compete for bragging rights.
As we approach the end of 2024, there is a lot going on and we will continue to communicate important developments as they arise. Please don’t hesitate to reach out or contact your Connexis Customer Service Account Manager if you have questions.
Read the Connexis eNews – November 2024.
Take care
Kaarin Gaukrodger
Executive Director
