Denay Cottam is a standout example of how a solid foundation in the trades can open doors to a long, diverse, and future-focused career in infrastructure. A qualified plumber, gasfitter, and drainlayer, Denay completed his apprenticeship in New Plymouth before heading offshore. Over more than a decade, he worked across New Zealand, Australia, and Malaysia in high-pressure roles—both onshore and …
Updated NZ Apprenticeship in Infrastructure Works (Civil), (Level 4)
The training programme toward the New Zealand Apprenticeship in Infrastructure Works (Civil) (Level 4) with strands in Earthworks, Road Construction, and Road Maintenance qualification has been reviewed and updated. The changes to the training programme see an increase in the size of the programme to provide more focus on quality outcomes for your worksite in a real-world environment and we …
Waiotahi Construction – Building a new kind of road
When Bay of Plenty’s Waiotahi Contractors wanted to introduce a professional development plan for its people, they turned to a concept every civil construction worker knows well – building roads. Waiotahi now uses the simple imagery of building a road on its Career Progression Map to give all employers a clear visual understanding of how they can develop their career …
TTM Recognition of Prior Learning now available
Holders of Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) warrants can now apply through Connexis to have their previous learning recognised for Level 3 unit standards. As of 1 November 2024, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi no longer registers some TTM warrants, as part of a shift to the new risk-based approach to TTM outlined in the NZ Guide to Temporary Traffic …
Connexis delivers first risk-based TTM micro-credential
On Wednesday 30 October Connexis launched the Temporary Traffic Management Risk Assessment (Level 4) micro-credential, the first Tertiary Education Organisation (TEO) to offer the micro-credential in New Zealand. Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) is a core skill requirement affecting almost any infrastructure project, whether it is building new roads, or maintaining the country’s energy, water and telecommunications networks. The micro-credential, which …
Awards recognise top commitment to civil infrastructure training
The country’s civil contracting company training trailblazers for 2024 have been recognised at the Connexis Civil Training and Development Awards. The Connexis-sponsored awards, announced at the annual Civil Contracting NZ (CCNZ) conference held in Invercargill recently, recognised companies which prioritise the training and development of their people through internal training programmes and opportunities to take up nationally recognised qualifications. The …
Final-year Fees Free update
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025. If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. …
Training Takes Hollie Through the Civil Construction Ranks
When Hollie Atarau was 17, she started at Bay of Plenty’s Waiotahi Contractors as a receptionist. 25 years later she is now the Waiotahi’s quality and environmental advisor, thanks to an unbeatable combination of hard work and good training, through Connexis. In fact, Hollie was one of the first people in New Zealand to complete a brand new qualification in …
King’s Service Medal for Kat Kaiwai
Kat Kaiwai has been honoured with a King’s Service Medal for services to women and the civil construction industry. Kat, who has been a strong supporter of Connexis Girls With Hi-Vis® and a huge advocate for the opportunities offered by training and apprenticeships, is the owner of Tairawhiti Contractors in Ruatoria, on the East Coast. With her team of 38 …
Pathway to Project Management: Kylie’s story
“I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of really supportive people around me, who pushed me out of my comfort zone. Now I push myself out of my comfort zone.” Kylie Bourke has come a long way since starting her civil construction career 26 years ago, in accounts administration. “I basically started doing the dishes and making the coffee!” Thanks …