Connexis
1^st April 2026

Connexis launches three new Level 4 Temporary Traffic Management micro-credentials

Connexis has launched three new Level 4 Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) micro-credentials, available from today. Connexis is the first provider in New Zealand to offer these new credentials.

Micro-credentials are short, NZQA-recognised training programmes of between five and 40 credits. They can contribute towards a full qualification or provide targeted training in specialised skills.

These new micro-credentials support the sector’s transition from a compliance-based approach to a risk-based framework for temporary traffic management, in line with the 2023 Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency New Zealand Guide to Temporary Traffic Management.

“The new micro-credentials will support frontline Temporary Traffic Management learners and builds on Connexis’ existing suite of Temporary Traffic Management micro-credentials launched in late 2024 and mid-2025,” says Kaarin Gaukrodger, Executive Director – Connexis. “Through this work, we continue to support workforce capability and safer outcomes across the infrastructure sector.”

Connexis new Level 4 micro-credentials:

Micro-credential in Temporary Traffic Management: Foundation Specialisation Requirements (Level 4)
NZQA reference 5285-1

Designed for people who need foundational knowledge of the Temporary Traffic Management system, including its principles, roles, and regulatory requirements, to support safe TTM practices.

Micro-credential in Temporary Traffic Management: Monitoring TTM Controls (Level 4)
NZQA reference 5286-1

Designed for people who are currently working in Temporary Traffic Management who are responsible for monitoring and maintaining static TTM controls to ensure safety, and quality assurance on worksites.

Micro-credential in Temporary Traffic Management: Mobile Supervision (Level 4)
NZQA reference 5287-1

Designed for people who supervise mobile operations in the Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) industry and who manage the risk and supervise the deployment of personnel and equipment to deliver a safe mobile operation.

These credentials further strengthen Connexis’ suite of temporary traffic management learning programmes which can be found here,

ENDS

About Connexis

Connexis is a training provider for New Zealand’s Civil, Energy, Telecommunications, and Water infrastructure industries.  Connexis works with infrastructure employers to develop and deliver nationally recognised programmes for apprenticeships and professional qualifications that sit on the New Zealand Qualification and Competency Framework.

Connexis is committed to increasing the capability and capacity of New Zealand’s infrastructure workforce through high‑quality work‑based learning across these industries, which are vital to keeping New Zealand connected.

Connexis | Infrastructure Training

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Timaru local Sam Burleigh has been named Canterbury Westland’s top excavator operator, taking out first place at the Civil Contractors New Zealand CablePrice Excavator Competition held at Road Metals Quarry in Rolleston on 4 October. 

The Thompson Engineering 2002 foreman conquered a series of gruelling challenges designed to test precision, skill, and technical know-how – from truck loading to the crowd-favourite egg and spoon challenge, where operators must lift an egg into a cup using their excavator without breaking it. 

Burleigh, who has competed in the event since 2022, said this year’s victory was his first after several close calls. 

“Last year I dropped the egg – this year I picked it up and popped it straight in the cup,” he laughed. “I just went into cruise mode today and did my jam, pretending no one was watching.” 

The 36-year-old credits his years on the tools, operating excavators since age 18, for helping him stay calm under pressure. His win over 28 other elite operators earned him a place at the national finals in Feilding next March, along with more than $3,000 in prizes. 

Other highlights included a giant game of excavator golf, a tricky log swing balance test, and theory-based challenges covering safety and machine checks. 

Competition organiser James Flower said the record number of entrants reflected the region’s strong talent and enthusiasm for the event. “It went like a dream, despite a deluge of rain,” he said. “There was a real carnival atmosphere – great to see families out supporting the operators and learning about the industry.” 

Rounding out the podium were Aidan Te Pakeke Palmer (second, Thompson Engineering 2002) and Jomar Clavo (third, Isaac Construction). 

The novice category went to Alex Waller from Smith Crane and Construction. 

The event was proudly supported by CablePrice, Attach2 Equipment, Connexis, and a host of other industry sponsors. 

The post Meet Canterbury Westland’s top excavator operator  appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.

“The thing that keeps me motivated is having a plan for the future in my mind. That helps me push through and complete the training that will allow me to develop and try to achieve those long-term goals.”

That approach to apprenticeship training is paying off so far for Ethan Morris, who was recently named Apprentice of the Year at the 2025 Waikato Civil Contractors Awards.

Ethan, an apprentice drainlayer with Schick Construction, is 1.5 years into his NZ Certificate in Pipeline Construction and Maintenance (Level 4) through Connexis. He says winning Apprentice of the Year is an amazing recognition of his training efforts so far.

“It means the world to me, because it proves that all my hard work, long hours, determination, and work ethic have been recognised, not only by my company but by the Waikato,” he says. “It shows me and everyone that if you put your head down, work hard, and try to better yourself every day, you will be able to reap the rewards, and people will start to notice.”

Ethan began his apprenticeship journey through a Gateway programme while still a student at Hamilton Boys’ High School, after attending an open day at Schick and learning more about what the company did.

“The things that appealed to me about drain-laying were being able to operate heavy machinery, which I’d wanted to do since I was a little kid, and being able to learn while working was another big upside for me. Doing an apprenticeship means I can learn, work, and get paid all at the same time, while getting a qualification under my belt that will last a lifetime.”

He adds that the biggest challenge of his training so far has been finding time to stay on top of some of the training bookwork while working long days on the job, but he adds he’s had good support from both Schick and Connexis to keep him on track.

“Connexis has supported me immensely with monthly catch-ups and being able to talk about things we struggled with as well as things we did well with, and any help we need just to be able to complete our bookwork,” says Ethan, adding that having access to other wellbeing services through Connexis “makes the process feel a lot more inviting and makes you, as a student, feel like you matter which helps you benefit by learning”.

A highlight of his training so far has been the opportunity to learn by doing and to meet a wide range of people. He’s also proud to be a part of the Connexis Water Services Apprenticeship Reference Group, a cohort of six current and former Connexis water trainees tasked with discussing legal and logistical issues in the water sector so as to ensure trainees are provided with the most relevant information in their training bookwork.

Now that he’s well into his apprenticeship, Ethan says he also loves being able to work in an environment that is providing a service and helping people has become important to him.

“Helping people have new homes with working drainage, or new roads with working water retention systems, gives me a sense of fulfilment, like I’m giving back and providing for the future,” he says.

“I also like being around so many people who do different jobs within the same industry, like site works, earthworks, and land development; not only being around them, but being able to jump into different activities with them when needed, and being able to learn new skills and change it up every so often.

“With the people you meet in the industry, everyone has different stories and experiences that you can learn from and relate to, which makes the job even better. You have a solid team around you who you can enjoy and have a laugh with while working.”

To others considering an apprenticeship or just starting out on their qualification journey, Ethan’s advice is to try to pursue something that you have a passion for, which will make keeping up with the work/study balance easier. “There are heaps of different apprenticeships out there, and if you’re doing a qualification you have a passion for, it will make it 10 times easier completing the bookwork.

“To keep on top of the bookwork, I’d say put your head down and make the time, whether it’s 15 minutes a day or an hour, because it will benefit you in the long run. Just keep ticking away with it because if you stop, it’s hard to get motivated to start again.

“Civil drain-laying is a trade where if you put the hard yards in, you will be able to reap the rewards, so I highly recommend anyone out there who’s interested or curious to give it a go. It’s not all about live sewage and yucky stuff!”

Ethan’s own professional road map includes ongoing training and a big picture goal of eventually moving into leadership roles.

“Self-development is the key to a good life. All throughout my future life I would like to be training and learning new things.

“After completing my drainage ticket, I’d like to go into a project manager or contract manager position and be able to learn more about the wide variety of this job, rather than just one sector.

“I like the idea of a management role in the future. I’ve always felt like I am a good role model and am good when it comes to helping and organising things. I’d find it really fulfilling to be able to help and guide others to become their best selves.”

The post Top apprentice has his eyes on the future appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.

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 are taking enrolments from Monday 24 March.

Apprentices in the current version will have until the end of 2026 to complete, however, there may be an opportunity for them to transition into the updated programme. Any transition will be carefully managed by the Connexis Customer Service Account Manager to ensure that no apprentice is disadvantaged. 

This programme is part of a broader suite of programmes designed specifically for the Civil Construction industry so for more information reach out to either your Connexis Customer Services Account Manager or contact us at askus@connexis.org.nz

The post Updated NZ Apprenticeship in Infrastructure Works (Civil), (Level 4) appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.

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 Management (NZGTTM).

Existing TTM warrants gained up to and including 31 October 2024, remain valid and recognised and stay on the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi TTM warranted workers database.

Some workers may wish to recognise their warrants against the unit standards by applying for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). This simply recognises that the TTM specialist already has met the skills and knowledge required by the unit standards.

The new RPL process needs to be completed by an NZQA-approved provider. Connexis is encouraging assessors working with TTM specialists interested in taking up the RPL, to direct them to the TTM page on the Connexis website to get started.

Find out more:

Apply for TTM recognition of prior learning

Read more about Waihanga Ara Rau’s retirement of prerequisite unit standards

Read more about the new NZQA-approved changes to TTM micro-credentials

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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 winners for 2024 are:

Category 1 (turnover up to $10M): Odlum Group, Morrinsville

Category 2 (turnover between $10M and $100M): InfraCore, Rotorua

Category 3 (turnover $100M+): HEB Construction, nationwide

Connexis Executive Director Kaarin Gaukrodger said the three winning companies were clear examples of organisations that prioritise industry training to help their people reach their full potential, grow the capability of their organisation and the wider civil infrastructure industry and in doing so building quality infrastructure that will benefit all New Zealanders. 

“We are thrilled to recognise these outstanding winners, and applaud the approach to training demonstrated among the other award finalists and nominees. Their commitment to workforce development through creating a culture of training not only strengthens their own companies but supports the sustainability of the wider infrastructure industry,” Gaukrodger says.

This is the second Connexis Civil Training and Development Award win in a row for HEB Construction in its category, honoured for its holistic approach to growing capability among its people, with an extensive training programme providing work, life and cultural skills.

InfraCore was recognised by the judges for its work with schools in order to develop future potential employees. With a comprehensive structured training programme featuring weekly study groups and mentors for every trainee, all InfraCore’s apprentices have completed a third of their apprenticeship requirements every year.

Odlum Group was also recognised by the judges in particular for its dedication to going beyond the normal to create a strong workplace culture and nurturing team development through internal training.

The awards were judged by CCNZ Vice-President David Howard, Connexis National Field Team Manager Fiona Malloch and Connexis General Manager Customer Engagement Andrew Harland.

“Companies that commit to ongoing training as an essential part of their business development plan are rewarded with a culture of quality work and continuous improvement,” Gaukrodger says. “They have a much better chance of retaining staff with years of skills and experience and they become the employers of choice for those looking to begin or develop careers in the sector.”

Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Alan Pollard saluted the award winners for their standout contributions to the industry. “These individuals and companies are flag bearers for the civil infrastructure industry, they deserve their chance to shine and we should all join in celebrating their efforts. By lifting their game, they help all of us lift ours.”

The post <strong>Awards recognise top commitment to civil infrastructure training</strong> appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.

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 to a combination of training, hard work and pushing herself, Kylie is now a project manager for Higgins Contractors Ltd in Whangarei, responsible for establishing and managing maintenance contracts, along with any other projects that pop up in the North. One of the biggest projects she has worked on was setting up a 25-year maintenance contract for the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway project.

She is also the chairperson for Civil Contractors NZ (CCNZ) Northland. Along the way she has qualified in 2022 she gained NZ Certificate Infrastructure Works Contract Management L5 with Connexis.

While in that first job in Auckland, Kylie started planning for a career in civil construction and setting herself some goals, having decided she no longer wanted to be the person making the coffee in meetings.

She loves the variety of her current role and has a long-lasting love for the industry as a whole.

“I just fell in love with the people in this industry. I did leave it for a year or so about 12 years ago but I really missed the camaraderie and the people. There’s nothing quite like it.

“I tried engineering for a while and didn’t enjoy it. Then I realised I was quite good at the contract side of things so started down that road. I love that there’s no such thing as a typical day and usually your day ends up looking completely different to what you thought it would be.”

Though she works in a male-dominated industry, Kylie says she’s now used to the different ways her team communicates – and she grew up around civil construction via her dad who was a bulldozer driver, which helps.

“There were times early on when the guys might say something that would upset me. But not anymore. I just realised they didn’t mean anything personal about it. They’re just trying to teach you, and they just communicate differently.”

For other women considering civil construction Kylie’s advice is simple: “Just give it a go. If you don’t like it, try something else. Think of it like trying new food; you’ll have no idea if you like it until you try it.”

As part of her role, Kylie has been a mentor for other women in the wider civil contracting business and has loved being able to help and encourage others to succeed. She is also proud of her role as chairperson for CCNZ in Northland, which came after one of those nudges out of her comfort zone.

“Someone suggested I go along to a CCNZ meeting, just to get a different perspective of the industry and I really enjoyed it. I love that everyone might have a different logo on their shirt, but they’re all dealing with the same things.”

After helping out with events, Kylie took the plunge and successfully ran for first to be part of the executive team, then vice-chair and then the chairperson role (Kylie was the first female in Northland to hold this role). Her goal has been to boost meeting attendance numbers which is succeeding nicely. “To me the biggest benefit is being able to network with others in the industry and you can only do that well if there’s lots of people.”

The post Pathway to Project Management: Kylie’s story appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.

Ned Hala likes a challenge. After spending much of his early working life in the meat works he made the change to civil infrastructure nine years ago and has never looked back.

“If I’d known how much I’d love Civil, I would never have even tried working in the meat works. I love the team mentality — ‘one team, one dream’, and I love that there is always a new challenge and you’re working outside. In the meat works, I found it was quite the same every day and you’re inside. I couldn’t see myself staying there forever,” he says.

After starting out with a smaller family-owned company in the Bay of Plenty, Ned made the move to Feilding and now works with Downer. One of the aspects of his current job is the support he gets from Downer to pursue training and get qualifications.

Since 2021 he has completed New Zealand Certificates in Infrastructure Works (L2), Infrastructure Works (L3), and Infrastructure Works (Civil) (L4) — Earthworks Strand through Connexis | Te Pūkenga.

“I’ve been lucky to have had a lot of support through my study, from Downer and from Linda [Shailer, Connexis customer service account manager]. They’re always challenging me to push myself,” says Ned adding that his Downer superintendent Hamish Croad and mentor Jarrod Telford have also been hugely supportive and motivating.

“They have made it so much easier to get through some of the challenges. If I was stuck there was always someone there to help me find the answer.”

Ned, whose mother is Ngāti Porou and father is Tongan, is now a big advocate for young people from all backgrounds to get started on their training early. “I’m all about the career pathway now, and upskilling. When I’m talking to people at Downer who have just started, I keep telling them to get straight on the books because there’s a great career pathway there for you if you want to progress and learn.

“I’m 35 now, and if I’d had the confidence and drive to learn when I was younger, who knows where I’d be.”

Ned is committed to keeping up his training and adding to his skillset, considering a New Zealand Certificate in Infrastructure Works — Single Site Supervision (Level 4) next.

“I just want a broad perspective and knowledge in the whole earthworks sector, and gain as much knowledge as I can while I still have a good brain on me!”

For now, Ned is moving on to a new project with Downer, as a foreman on Wellington’s shared pathway project, a long way from where he started as a labourer at the Turitea Windfarm project. He’s also continuing to help support the company’s rangitahi on their own learning pathways, and working on a Māori leadership course to develop future stars.

“I just have so much support around me at Downer and with Connexis, it makes me want to not let myself down.”

The post Discovering the power of learning appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.

This programme aims to give current leaders and supervisors the opportunity to develop their leadership and operational skills, to make work better for all on construction sites.

Learn more and apply today at https://www.chasnz.org/leadon 

Applications close 20 June 2023.

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Meet two Connexis | Te Pūkenga learners working for HEB Construction on the crucial Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway, linking Ashhurst and Woodville.

Samantha Higgins is a Senior Field Technician/KTP (Key Technical Person) for Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway. She works for HEB Construction and is currently completing her NZ Certificate in Civil Engineering – Field Strand.

I’ve been with HEB Construction a little over two years. My previous manager offered me a job on this project. I wanted a change and I thought it would be cool to try something new.

The highlight of my work so far has probably been becoming the KTP.

I love that I get to be practical and work outside.  I also love that there is a lot of variety in where I will be working on the project, and what needs to be done.

What I enjoy about my training is that I can do it while I am at work and that it is so easily shown in my work.

The biggest challenge so far in my work has probably been having the confidence in dealing with contractors and engineers. Being new to the industry and quite young, it was quite daunting telling them why tests have failed and backing myself.

I’d tell other women coming into a role like this to not be afraid to ask lots of questions to get clarification and have the confidence to back yourself.

Renee Bryce is a Lab Technician for Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway Project. She works for HEB Construction and is currently completing her NZ Certificate in Civil Engineering – Laboratory.

I’ve been with HEB Construction about 13 months. I applied because my sister said they were hiring.  She was already working here and could tell me about the working atmosphere and how we were made to feel welcomed.

I love learning about the testing; the ‘why’ we do it and the results that then help make the project successful. It’s also the people that I work with. My team actually works really well together. I also enjoy the regular visits from our local rep for my training.

I do sampling for the pavements, which will start on the project soon. We’ve been doing earthworks to date. When I first started, the sampling bags out the front were everywhere. I have since tidied these up, categorised them and made it a lot easier for our team.

I am still working out [my career aspirations] but I am trying to gain as much knowledge and experience in the lab. If earthworks engineering is an option, I would love to go for that.

My biggest challenge so far has been testing samples accurately and trying not to make mistakes because it does affect others and what happens on site.

I’d tell other women coming into a role like this not to hesitate. The women that I work with are really hard working, and we keep the guys in line.

Image: Samantha Higgins, left, and Renee Bryce completing a compaction test near an underpass on the Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway project site.

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