2024 winning cable jointer Taylor Simmonds is looking to repeat his success at Annual Connection. Annual Connection 2024 winning cable jointer, Taylor Simmonds from Omexom in Auckland is gearing up to defend his title at the 2025 event at Christchurch’s Canterbury Agricultural Park, 21-23 October. “I’ve prepared differently this year. Last year I didn’t know what to expect but this …
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Top apprentice has his eyes on the future
“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 …
Annual Connection: a judge’s view
If there’s anybody that knows what it takes to take on the responsibility of judging the skills of line mechanic crews at Annual Connection, it’s Phil Johnson from PowerNet in Invercargill. Phil has been a judge in almost every Annual Connection line mechanic competition since it was resurrected at the Hamilton event in 2002, stepping aside only once in 2003 …
Connexis Energy Trainee Awards Finalists Announced
The big reveal! The list of finalists for the Connexis Energy Trainee Awards, recognising the best and brightest trainees in New Zealand’s Electricity Supply Industry, is out! The winners will be announced at the Connexis Excellence Awards Dinner, being held on 23 October at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre. Who will take out the top accolade of Trainee of 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 …
A word from our Director – July 2025
Kia ora koutou, I hope you and your teams are well and staying healthy through winter. It has been a difficult time for a lot of businesses, and I acknowledge the commitment it takes to focus on investing in the future through training while the economy is slow. In this eNews we have a number of product and event updates, the …
Hands-on work experience key to enticing apprentices
Hands-on, skills-based training at New Zealand’s leading infrastructure work sites has been key to sparking interest in infrastructure trade and technical careers among young women. More than 500 secondary school students from around the country have attended almost 30 Connexis Girls with Hi-Vis® (GWHV) events hosted by key industry employers who have given female students the opportunity to try their …
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 …
Females a key part of strengthening the infrastructure workforce
Inviting women to choose a career in infrastructure could be the key to success for New Zealand’s pipeline of infrastructure projects, says the sector’s leading training provider. Connexis, training provider for infrastructure industries such as civil, energy, telecommunications and water, hosts Girls with Hi-Vis® (GWHV) events around the country each June with the goal of attracting more women into careers …