“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 …
Success in training equals success in business for HEB Construction
A holistic approach to training at HEB Construction is setting its people up for success. “When many people enter this industry, becoming a labourer might not be their first job choice. Our approach is to work with them, to help them on their way towards the getting into the roles they aspire to and that will also benefit the business,” …
Constructing a Career Through Training
What was meant to be a temporary job has turned into a fulfilling career path for Kaitlyn Newsome. Kaitlyn’s civil construction career began when she was working for a labour hire company supplying staff to HEB Construction. She decided she’d like to give the trade a go herself. Kaitlyn, who has also worked as a prison officer, has been with …
From Hi-Vis to High Voltage: Natalee Hughes is lighting the way for women in trades
Attending a Connexis Girls with Hi-Vis® (GWHV) event in 2022 opened Natalee Hughes’s eyes to a new world of career possibilities. After attending a GWHV hosted by Horizon Networks in Whakatane, Natalee completed a Gateway programme with Horizon while she was still a student at Trident High School. It just cemented the idea that a career as a line mechanic …
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 …
New Fees Free policy kicks off
As we welcome in the New Year, 1 January 2025 also marks the commencement of the Government’s new ‘final-year’ Fees Free policy (or final two years for work-based learning), with the ‘first-year’ Fees Free scheme ending on 31 December 2024. This means learners starting a work-based training programme for the first time in 2025 may be able to access Fees …
Government announces future of industry training
On 20 December 2024, the Government announced its plan for a redesigned Vocational Education and Training (VET) system in New Zealand, as it proceeds with the disestablishment of Te Pūkenga. Following industry feedback in August on proposals for work-based learning, the government has developed a third option and will hold targeted consultation in January 2025, with those industry organisations that …
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 …
Changes to Apprenticeship Boost 2025
Civil and Water industry training programmes will no longer be eligible for the Apprenticeship Boost, as outlined in a recent government announcement. In October the Hon Minister Penny Simmonds and Hon Minister Louise Upston released an updated policy for the Apprenticeship Boost announcing that from 1 January 2025, first-year apprentices in targeted occupations, and critical industries would be eligible. Industry …
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. …