“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.”

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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.

Josh, who received a $500 voucher for a Connexis civil training programme, was praised by judges for his attention to detail during the challenge which involved excavating a swimming pool and completing an ‘Under the Wire Challenge’. The event is designed to test competitors’ knowledge as well as practical skills.

The Civil Contractors New Zealand CablePrice National Excavator Operator Competition was held over 14-15 March 2025 at Feilding’s Manfeild Park, as part of Central District Field Days.

Twelve excavator operators competed in a series of challenges over the two-day competition with Northland’s Steven George taking top spot. Steven receives a $1000 voucher for a Connexis civil training programme.

John Rohloff of Fulton Hogan in Bay of Plenty was second, while last year’s runner-up Michael Brown, also of Fulton Hogan, took third place.

This year’s event marked the 31st anniversary of the excavator competition and for the first time featured three female regional champions: Georgia Lyford from Canterbury Westland, Lydia Hill from Nelson Marlborough and Tanya Claxton from Hawke’s Bay East Coast.

Competition challenges included the ‘Over the Wire Challenge’, where operators had to construct ramps of earth to navigate over a wire, and the ‘Connect Challenge’, a jumbo recreation of the classic Connect Four game.

Connexis Executive Director Kaarin Gaukrodger says Connexis was thrilled to support the excavator competitions and the One-Day Job Challenge.

“The excavator competition is a really effective and entertaining way to showcase the skills, knowledge and career opportunities within New Zealand’s civil workforce.

“The skills required to effectively operate an excavator can often be taken for granted so it’s incredible to see the deftness and precision among the competitors as they complete some fun and difficult challenges through the competition.

“Congratulations to Steven, Josh and all the competitors, as well as CCNZ for another brilliant, entertaining and educational event.”

Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Alan Pollard congratulated all the competitors for their dazzling skills, and Steven on his victory.

“Steven delivered a remarkable performance from start to finish, conquering a formidable course with some tricky new challenges thrown in the mix and a very strong line-up of opposition – it was a real masterclass in precision operating.”

Mr Pollard said the competitors represented the best of the civil construction industry, and their efforts in front of a throng of spectators at Central Districts Field Days helped inspire the next generation to take up the tools to meet the country’s infrastructure needs. 

“The skill on display highlighted why excavator operators are so critical to New Zealand’s development. These men and women do more than just operate machines – they’re skilled professionals whose expertise transforms ideas into the roads, water networks and other vital infrastructure that support the daily lives of Kiwi communities.”

See the full list of winners at www.civilcontractors.co.nz/news

The post Excavating excellence appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.

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 opportunities and progress through the company by training. The map clearly tracks how an employee might go from being a labourer to a project manager by following a training path with Connexis from NZ Certificate in Infrastructure Works (level 2) through to the NZ Certificate in Project Management (Level 5) with other jobs and qualifications along the way.

Each step along the path outlines approximate pay increases, skills acquired and responsibilities undertaken.

The Waiotahi Career Progression map is the brainchild of the company’s People and Capability Manager, Hollie Atarau.

“We had done some staff surveys and one of the things a lot of staff said they wanted was more training and professional development, so, as part of developing a culture and wellbeing improvement strategy, we came up with the professional development career progression plan,” Hollie says.

“It provides a clear pathway for our entry-level roles to progress within Waiotahi. Which helps with employee retention as well as professional growth. Employees who advance within the company from the bottom up are really valuable, because they gain that knowledge through experience and on-the-job training, while getting the qualifications. It’s great to keep that knowledge and understanding in the company.”

Hollie knows a thing or two about how important training and professional development can be for building a career, having started at Waiotahi as a receptionist. She developed the roadmap so everyone in the Waiotahi can see clearly and quickly where training could take them – and how it can impact what you earn.

“We put the average industry pay rates in because it does inspire people to see what they can achieve financially by investing in their own training and development. That’s quite motivating.”

Hollie says the map is often used by managers when they’re onboarding staff, and in performance reviews, to motivate team members.

“An operator can see on the map that their journey can lead to a project manager. Waiotahi do really want their staff to succeed and they want to be part of that journey of supporting them to reach their goals.

“It goes a long way to fostering a positive company culture when staff feel valued and motivated. They then want to contribute to the success of the business.”

Feedback on the map from Waiotahi staff has been hugely positive, Hollie says. “A lot of feedback has been on the fact it’s a really visual tool; and it’s pretty simple without pages and pages of words about different steps and options.”

Shining a light on the value of training also has a domino effect within the team, Hollie says. “One of our guys in Kawerau recently finished a qualification and one of his team mates reached out to me and wants to complete the same civil apprenticeship. Seeing people succeed encourages others.

“It makes them want to achieve more, and they enjoy their job more. It gives them a sense of produce, and a sense of loyalty to the company. That reduces our staff turnover and reduces the costs of hiring. It’s good for everybody.”

Waiotahi currently have 9 staff members completing training through Connexis. 

The post <strong>Waiotahi Construction – Building a new kind of road</strong> 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

The post <strong>TTM Recognition of Prior Learning now available</strong> appeared first on Connexis | 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 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.

The awards recognise employers who have embedded training across their businesses, creating career pathways for their workers, and improving capabilities in the civil industry.

Congratulations to our finalists:

Winners will be announced at the award ceremony at the CCNZ conference on the 5th of August.

To read more about the nomination process earlier in the year, click here.

The post Civil Industry Award Finalists Announced appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.