Pictured: Winnie Rawiri-King, Electrician working for Singer Group Ltd. Winnie has been a great ambassador for women in the Infrastructure Industry and was the Connexis 2017 Got a Trade, Got it Made – Future Business Leader.
March 8, 2017 – How do you shine a light on International Women’s Day in New Zealand? When you are Connexis, the Industry Training Organisation for the infrastructure industry, you add some hi-vis.
Connexis holds its annual Girls with Hi-Vis® programme in June each year and is currently calling for registrations from women in New Zealand wanting to experience firsthand what a career in infrastructure offers.
As of today, International Women’s Day, there are 28 companies registered for the 2018 programme. That’s up from the nine which registered in 2017.
Connexis Chief Executive Peter Benfell says it is extremely exciting to see Girls with Hi-Vis® being embraced by companies across the Civil, Energy, 3Waters and Telecommunications sectors.
“It’s a signal that those companies really see the benefits of diversity through the number of women in their teams and are committed to increasing females into trade and technical roles within the industry.”
Girls with Hi-Vis® sees those registered partner companies throw their doors open for a day in June, specifically to women interested in finding out more about the career opportunities available and to learn about how different sectors of the industry operate.
“It’s a unique opportunity that literally opens doors to women who may not have previously considered the infrastructure industry, or who may have considered it, but thought there were no roles that appealed.
“The infrastructure industry is a great option given the wide range of careers available and the average annual salary ranging between $71,000 to $86,000 within the sectors.
“It allows women of all ages and backgrounds, and from all over the country, to see behind the scenes of some of our major infrastructure companies; to talk to other women already working in the industry and to see where they might have a future,” Benfell says.
Any females interested in participating in Girls with Hi-Vis® event can register via the Connexis website https://www.connexis.org.nz/careers/girls-high-vis
“On International Women’s Day it is worth remembering that women have much to offer to New Zealand and specifically the infrastructure industry and recruiting more of them is vital for the future of the sector, Benfell says. “If our industry is to continue to grow and operate at world standards, we need more, skilled workers. Why would you ignore half the population in your recruitment plan?”
ENDS
www.connexis.org.nz
For more information contact:
Tracey Mehrtens
Accento Communications
021 430 606
