Instead Azra Wenzlick pivoted toward training as a line mechanic, following in the footsteps of both her father and grandfather. 

“I actually knew about the industry because my granddad, back in the day, was a line mechanic, and then also my dad was a line mechanic. I really enjoy working with other people and having a laugh. It makes the day go by so much quicker,” she says. “Being a team leader does come with a lot more responsibility and pressure because the buck stops with you, but I enjoy that. I’m naturally quite assertive, so I think I fall into that kind of role anyway. Even when I was a line mechanic I was leaning toward this kind of role anyway.” 

Azra, who completed her line mechanic apprenticeship through Connexis and was a member of the Connexis Ultimit first all-women line mechanic crew at Annual Connection, says there are still challenges that come with working in a male-dominated field, and she’s passionate about supporting other women to success. 

“I can’t sugarcoat it and say: ‘It’s fantastic. Everyone loves me all the time.’ I’ve been doing this for quite a while now and there are times that I still feel like I have to prove myself with some people. The people around me aren’t like that, but you do still feel it on site with other people or subcontractors onsite.” 

The most important aspect of having women on a crew is to remember they don’t expect to be protected or treated differently, she says.  

“Sometimes you get guys, who are actually trying to be respectful and helpful, say ‘oh that’s too heavy for you’ or something and want to help, but we actually can and want to do it ourselves. I see both sides, but none of us have chosen this job because we want others to help us through it. We want to stand on our own two feet, and have the chance to show we can do it. 

“Theres a balance in dealing with that between being assertive and being too aggressive. I’m still learning that!” 

She adds that it’s also important to acknowledge the support and confidence boosts she’s had from the men she’s worked with through each stage of her career so far. 

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the men in my company who have backed me and taught me everything I know, especially my manager, Warren. He’s the one who pushed me to do things like Annual Connection, and to just be the best I can be. He created an environment for me to thrive in.”  

Azra’s main piece of advice for any young person considering training as a line mechanic is to make sure they’re enjoying the work. “If you don’t love it at the start you’re probably never going to enjoy it because we do some extreme hours and work in some extreme conditions at times. 

“But I actually think it’s a fantastic and underrated field to work in,” she says. “I love the versatility of it. Once you have a qualification, there’s so many ways you could go with it. We work in beautiful places every day. We work outdoors, and you’re constantly moving, so I think it’s really good for your mental health as well as your physical health.” 

There is also a huge amount of satisfaction to be had from a job well done, she adds. “We’ve had some pretty big storms up in Auckland, where we’ve gone in where everything’s been flattened. By the end of the day, with a few crews working, we have everything back up and running and people are out saying thank you. That’s really satisfying because you can really see what you’ve achieved.” 

The post Leading the way appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.

What do you think the secret was to your success last year?
Simon Bayliss (team foreman): “I don’t think there is a secret, but I think for us it was the ability to adapt under pressure. It was not all smooth sailing for us, but we supported each other. Safety was always in front of our minds, but it was really the way the team pulled together when it got challenging. We needed to stay calm, positive, and adjust quickly. I think that’s what got us over the line in the end.”

What prompted the team to want to compete together again this year?
Lance Kahotea: “Talking amongst ourselves, we agreed we loved our time at the Annual Connection competition; the atmosphere, and the chance to meet new people from the industry. Overall, it’s a great experience.

What does it mean to be returning champions?
Micheal Kava: “As returning champions, there is always added pressure to perform and win. I’m sure it will be no different this year for us or for the other teams competing, as everyone will want to do well. The main thing for us is to give it our best and enjoy the experience again.”

What does the team love about competing at Annual Connection?
Michael Mitchell (trainee): “The team enjoyed the different events and the event’s ability to bring different companies together. It is just as much as an opportunity to meet other lineys and see different equipment used, as it is a great competition. As a team, we really enjoyed the whole Annual Connection experience.”

The post Bringing the energy to win appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.

As the country’s top energy sector workers show off their world-class skills at a national competition event in Christchurch next month, two young local women are making their mark.

More female competitors are making their presence felt at Annual Connection each year, and this year is no exception with a record number of women registered to take on the challenges at the 2025 event in Christchurch.

For the first time the cable jointing competitions will feature a landmark three female competitors, including two from host sponsor EA Networks; Chloe Guthrie, entered in the main cable jointing competition and Tia Fasi, who will be competing in the new Annual Connection trainee cable jointing competition.

The experience will be a first for both women, and they’re working hard to prepare by tapping co-workers who’ve previously competed for their best tips and advice.

“One of my fellow cable jointers at EA Networks had been a judge and competitor himself and was explaining the competition to me. I thought it would be fun and a great learning opportunity,” says Chloe, who joined EA as an apprentice cable jointer in 2022, and qualified in May this year through Connexis. “I’m having training moments with fellow workers who have been in the competition themselves, and I’m constantly working on my techniques on day-to-day jobs.”

Tia, who began her cable jointing apprenticeship at EA in mid-2024 through Connexis, says while the thought of competing at Annual Connection is “quite daunting” she is getting plenty of support from those around her.

“Everyone has been very forthcoming with their own experiences; the likely skills and knowledge I’ll need and the overall structure of the competition. I’m confident they’ll provide me with anything I’ll need. I’ll just try my best,” she says. “I’m looking forward to the learning experience and the challenge I’ve set for myself.”

Tia first heard about cable jointing as a career while completing a pre-trades course after leaving school with plans to become an electrician. “I saw the cable jointers in their workshop doing what I now know was a live joint. That’s how I became aware of cable jointing.

“It was the physicality and utter complexity of the work that appealed. I had absolutely no idea what they were doing but I was instantly enticed,” Tia says. “I honestly love everything about the job now I’m doing it. I thoroughly appreciate the opportunity to have such variety in a job whilst having the ability to learn new skills and do many hands-on tasks.”

For Chloe, cable jointing was also a career option that was new to her when she discovered it, though she was familiar with the work of EA Networks through her dad, who also works for the company. “I never once heard of a cable jointer growing up. I mostly only knew of linesmen, but I wanted a hands-on job and to get into a good trade.

“I started by doing work experience at EA Networks in cable jointing and loved it right away, so I wanted to keep coming back and learning more.”

The things Chloe loves most about her job are the work ethic and technique required. “I love making terminations clean and like pieces of art. I also love having the ability to work outside and be travelling around mid-Canterbury while learning about my job and electricity every day. It’s good to feel a sense of accomplishment leaving work knowing the job you did that day was important.”

Chloe’s advice for other young people, particularly women, considering cable jointing as a career option is to give it a try.

“If you love outdoors and getting your hands dirty, have a strong personality and can deal with some male banter, cable jointer is a good start.

“As a woman you might need to learn some techniques to make things work for you as we don’t have the same strength as others, but I’ve loved learning and becoming part of a team and showing that girls can fit in and do the same jobs as men.”

Tia says she would definitely recommend giving cable jointing a try to anybody considering it. “I genuinely love my job despite only being over a year in and would have nothing but good things to say about my experience. Every job has its difficulties and challenges, but the reward is worth the risk. Take the jump and give it a go, what’s the worst that could happen.”

And to any other young female cable jointers wanting to compete in Annual Connection in the future, Tia’s advice is to go for it. “If you’re given the opportunity, take it. The worst that can happen is you come last, but the experience is what matters.”

Chloe agrees: “You are challenging yourself and showing off techniques you have learnt. You can do whatever you put your mind to – and remember competing will be a great learning experience.”

• Annual Connection, managed by Connexis with 2025 sponsors Orion, EA Networks and Connectics, is a unique three-day event, bringing together cable jointers, line mechanics and industry stakeholders from around New Zealand. The event consists of a series of competitions designed to showcase the skills and knowledge of workers in our Electricity Supply Industry.
• Annual Connection 2025 will be held at Canterbury Agricultural Park on 21-23 October.
• https://annualconnection.co.nz/

The post Young Ashburton women cable jointers taking on the best in NZ appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.

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 Year?

Good luck to all the finalists who are:

Transmission Trainee category:
Dylan Watson, Omexom, Otematata
Callum Fowden, Ventia, Upper Hutt
Dylan Ngahooro, Ventia, Upper Hutt

Generation Trainee category:
Caitlin Manickum, Mercury Ltd, Taupo
Callum Bryant, Genesis Energy Ltd, Tekapo
Fiona Glennie, Meridian Energy, Twizel

Advanced Trainee category:
Gemma Rose, Empowered Technical Services, Ngaruawahia
Mitch van Waelsden, MainPower NZ Ltd, Kaiapoi

Distribution Trainee Category:
Harley Farnham, Buller Networks, Westport
Harvey Mitchell, Ventia NZ Ltd, Hamilton
Hugh Thomson, Counties Energy, Manukau
Tom Anderson, ElectroNet, Greymouth

Traction Line Mechanic category:
Robert Ngawharau, KiwiRail, Auckland.

Contribution to training and development:
Andree Curly James, Ventia NZ Ltd, Auckland
David Haydock, Genesis Energy Ltd, Huntly
Paul Bryant, Genesis Energy, Tekapo

What is Annual Connection?
Annual Connection, managed by Connexis, is an annual three-day competition showcasing and celebrating the skills and expertise of New Zealand’s Electricity Supply Industry (ESI). It sees line mechanic crews and cable jointers from around the country compete in a series of challenges that put their workplace skills to the test.

Connexis Executive Director Kaarin Gaukrodger says the training provider is thrilled to be bringing Annual Connection back to Christchurch, which last hosted the event in 2018.

“Bringing Annual Connection to Christchurch creates a fantastic opportunity to gather our ESI companies centrally in the South Island. There is nothing quite like this event to showcase the skill in our ESI workforce, while demonstrating to the community how rewarding and varied careers in the energy sector can be.

“It will be great to see the different teams, as well as suppliers and supporters, from all over New Zealand gather in Christchurch to test their skills against each other over the three-day competition.”

Annual Connection makes its return to the South Island this year with help from three host companies: Orion, EA Networks, and Connetics Ltd.

The post Connexis Energy Trainee Awards Finalists Announced appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.

“The nerves turned into excitement and focus as soon as the hooter went.”

Simon Bayliss, foreman for Top Energy’s winning line mechanic crew at Annual Connection 2024, says with all of the team members new to Annual Connection there were plenty of nerves ahead of the competition start in Te Awamutu.

“Our team had a two-week training block prior to Annual Connection, but the planning and organising started months before. It’s fair to say the nerves were definitely there before competing because of the preparation we put into being able to perform to the highest expectations we put on ourselves.”

Though off to a slightly shaky start on Day One of competition Simon says the team pulled together well on Day Two.

“Things didn’t go our way on the first day but we reacted well to unforeseen circumstances and felt positive after Day Two, knowing we had competed well in those events.

“By Day Three we were focused on getting through the day maintaining a high standard of workmanship within the time limits without getting any obvious penalty points. There were teams that seemed very sharp so the win did come as a surprise to us, but we were super proud to accept the overall prize for Top Energy and our Northland region.”

A personal highlight for Simon was knowing his team were competing alongside other highly skilled line mechanic crews, while also being able to showcase to the wider public what working in the electrical supply industry is all about.

“There’s also a good vibe between the teams and within the industry. It was amazing to be part of it all.”

Michael Mitchell, the trainee in Top Energy’s winning line mechanic team agrees, saying the opportunity to connect with others in the industry was a highlight for him at Annual Connection.

“It’s great to meet people who share the same passion for the job. Even at a competition everyone wants to support each other and watch them succeed,” he says.

While the team training took place during the two weeks before Annual Connection, training for each individual started as soon as each team member knew they were going, by completing every day tasks.

“I was nervous because it was our first time competing, but excited for the same reason. It was something new.

“Every team brought strong competition and delivered highly on each event. It was very close on everything. I felt quite humble to be in the winning team.”

Top Energy’s top tips for Annual Connection competitors:

Simon Bayliss: “Be prepared the best you can,  stay positive and consistent throughout the whole three days. Just enjoy yourself. Soak it all in.”

Michael Mitchell: Keep the energy up”. If the team’s in a good mood, the events flow easier.”

The post <strong>Top of the country: Inside Top Energy’s Annual Connection win</strong> appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.

“People don’t think about this industry much except when the weather’s bad and the power goes off, so Annual Connection is a way to showcase the skills in the industry and recognise some of the best performers.”

Rick Johnson has seen some of today’s electricity supply industry top performers and leaders rise through the ranks from being fresh-faced trainees, having been a part of Annual Connection almost since its inception.

Rick, currently the competition’s chief judge, a position he’s held for more than 20 years, and chair of the event’s organising committee for the past 13 years, is hanging up his Annual Connection hard hat after the 2024 event at Castleton Park in Te Awamutu on 22-24 October.

“I’m not directly connected to the industry these days, so it makes sense to step back and let other people take it over and move the event forward.”

Rick’s career in the ESI started when he left school in 1980, working as an engineering cadet and completing a diploma in engineering – electricity before becoming a registered engineering associate and working in senior management for some of New Zealand’s largest contracting companies.

Through his career Rick started helping line mechanics prepare for their qualification exams, becoming approved by the Electrical Workers Registration Board as an official trainer/examiner. When what was then known simply as the National Line Mechanic Competition, began to grow Rick was asked to come on board to help as a judge.

“That first competition, held in Rotokauri, Hamilton had three teams taking part, but the following year there were more so they asked me to come and help judge – and I’ve been involved now for the last 21 years.”

Rick says one of the things he finds most rewarding about Annual Connection is seeing the growth of the people, as they go from strength to strength in their ESI careers.

“There are some that competed in the very early events that are now senior managers or have their own businesses. Some of them I’ve seen come through not just in my role with Annual Connection, but as a trainer and examiner as well.

“I’m proud to have been part of it and helped contribute to its growth over the last 20+ years. It reflects my passion for the industry. I love to see young people becoming line mechanics and cable jointers and achieving that trade certification,” he says. “I actually think line mechanics and cable jointers are among the most under-recognised trades in New Zealand.”

Rick says it has also been rewarding to see how the industry in New Zealand has come to support Annual Connection in the form of sponsorship and as exhibitors at the event.

“It started as a relatively casual affair but now it’s a full-blown business. For the competitors though, the opportunity to mingle with others in the industry is one of the best things about Annual Connection.

“What’s really interesting is when you stand back and you have, say, nine or 12 teams competing in an event, you often get nearly nine or 12 different ways of attacking a job and there’s no one particular way that is the most correct way.

“It’s interesting for competitors to see how other people do things and see the setup of vehicles and trucks, as everybody has a slightly different setup and equipment on their trucks. They also get to look through the exhibitor tents, to see some of the new technology and equipment coming into the industry. So while there are a lot of benefits in showing off your skillset in the competition, there are lots of other benefits as well.”

Rick says the support of Connexis, and its predecessor ESITO, have been essential in Annual Connection growing every year, and he is keen to see the event continue to develop, perhaps with the inclusion of events that showcase other industry skills.

“There are people on the organising committee with fresh ideas to take it forward and the industry is always evolving as well. I look forward to seeing what happens next.”

The post <strong>Two decades of Annual Connection</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.

Te Awamutu, October 25, 2024: The future of New Zealand’s electricity supply industry (ESI) looks bright, with the country’s top trainees recognised at an awards ceremony in Waikato.

The Connexis Excellence Awards, recognising the best and brightest trainees in New Zealand’s ESI were named at a ceremony to close the industry’s iconic Annual Connection event with Southland’s Angelo Obus, named overall Trainee of the Year.

Obus, a trainee supply electrician and power systems technician for PowerNet in Invercargill was also named Advance Trainee of the Year. He was nominated by PowerNet for his expert knowledge and skills combined with an ambition to succeed and natural leadership abilities.

Other Excellence Awards winners recognised include:

• Transmission Trainee of the Year, Sage Baucke, Omexom, Auckland
• Distribution Trainee of the Year, Kale Thompson, PowerNet, Invercargill
• Traction Line Mechanic Trainee of the Year, Marciano Rosin, KiwiRail, Auckland
• Investing in Youth Training and Development, Lee Pennock, KiwiRail, Tauranga.

Connexis Executive Director Kaarin Gaukrodger says recognising the talent and hard work of New Zealand’s ESI trainees is important in raising the profile of skills that often go under-appreciated and unseen outside the industry.

“These trainees are the people in charge of electrifying New Zealand as we move the country toward a reduced carbon future.”

Electrifying New Zealand’s economy is a key part of the Government’s plan to grow our economy and reduce emissions to achieve Net Zero 2050.

“We will need a much larger, robust and skilled workforce to achieve that. By shining a light on the expertise of those already in the industry, we can educate a whole new generation of people on the importance of this work and the potential of these careers.”

The Connexis Excellence Awards are a high point of Annual Connection, a three-day celebration of the skills and capability found among New Zealand’s line mechanics and cable jointers. This year’s Annual Connections took place in Te Awamutu, run by Connexis (infrastructure sector training provider), with hosts Waipā Networks and The Lines Company.

The focus of the event is skills competitions between line mechanic crews and cable jointers from around the country. This year’s winning cable jointer is Taylor Simmonds from Omexom in Auckland, and the winning line mechanic team is Top Energy Ltd, from Northland.

Gaukrodger says Annual Connection presents a unique opportunity each year to raise the profile of the electricity supply industry and its work keeping New Zealand connected.

“The event shows off the value this work brings to their local communities to ensure our lives can be healthy and prosperous.

“It is an opportunity, not just to compete but to share knowledge, promote excellence, and connect skilled workers from across New Zealand who will be our industry’s future leaders.

“This year’s event has been a huge success. Huge congratulations to the winners and runners up. It was an intensely fought competition this year, with all competitors demonstrating just how good they are.”

The Lines Company Chief Executive Mike Fox says jointly hosting Annual Connection with Waipā Networks is great demonstration of EDB collaboration. We appreciate the team at Waipā leading the charge.”

“Connexis has put in a massive amount of work behind the scenes to deliver yet another great event. Hats off to their team for the hard work and coordination. The event brings the sector together to demonstrate, and celebrate, the work line mechanics and cable jointers do each day across the country to keep customers connected.”

“The range of expertise from the nine competing teams demonstrates what they do every day to an exceptional standard,” said Fox. “Bringing distribution company employees together showcases the essential work the sector delivers for customers across New Zealand. It also provides for friendly competition and cross-sector camaraderie between line mechanics and cable jointers.” 

Waipā Networks’ Chief Executive Sean Horgan expressed pride in the Waipā Networks team and the training and preparation they put in ahead of the three-day competition.

“It’s been great to be able to host this event and share it with our team, their families and our community,” he says.

“Our field crews have showcased both their talent and trade. They are the ones that do the mahi when a storm takes the power lines down or when our region needs electricity to grow. They represent the best of our industry, and we couldn’t be more proud,” he adds.

For more information, please contact:
Kerri Jackson
Accento Communications
kerri@accento.nz
021430606

Annual Connection competition results:

Cable Jointer Competition:

Line Mechanic Competition:

About Annual Connection – www.annualconnection.co.nz

Annual Connection sees cable jointers and line mechanic teams from energy companies around the country compete over three days and judged across a series of activities designed to test and showcase their skills and expertise. It is organised by Connexis in conjunction with the Electricity Supply Industry and held annually in a different location around the country.

About Connexis – connexis.org.nz

Connexis is a division of Te Pūkenga, New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology. Connexis arranges, delivers, supports, and assesses work-based learning for the infrastructure industries of Civil, Energy, Telecommunications, and Water.

The post <strong>Celebrating the faces of New Zealand’s energy future</strong> appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.

Sparks are set to fly in the Waikato later this month as New Zealand’s best line mechanics and cable jointers go head-to-head in a competition designed to showcase the electricity supply industry skills that keep the country connected.

Annual Connection 2024 will see cable jointers and line mechanic teams from energy companies around the country competing over three days and judged across a series of activities designed to test and showcase their skills and expertise.

Connexis executive director Kaarin Gaukrodger says the electricity supply industry faces some big challenges ahead with the Government’s drive to reduce the country’s carbon footprint.

“Harnessing renewable energy and electrifying New Zealand is the way of the future and will require a significant number of more skilled people to achieve this. It’s forecasted that we will need an electricity supply workforce twice the current size to meet our targets.”

Electrifying New Zealand’s economy is a key part of the Government’s plan to grow our economy and reduce emissions to achieve Net Zero 2050.

The plan means taking advantage of New Zealand’s abundant renewable energy resources, so that our homes, cars, buses, trains, ferries, and manufacturers are increasingly powered by wind, water, sun, geothermal and other emerging options.

“This also presents challenges for the industry in how it will train the people to deliver on this increase in demand and changing skill requirements as new energy sources grow,” Gaukrodger says.

“Training our local workforce will be key as countries around the world are facing the same challenges for skilled workers to deliver on renewable energy development and maintenance. The good news is that it means more jobs for New Zealanders.”

With increasing the workforce top of mind, Annual Connection presents a unique opportunity each year to raise the profile of the electricity supply industry as a career option and showcase the skilled people who keep New Zealand connected and the value their work brings to their local communities to ensure our lives can be healthy and prosperous.

The event that is proudly managed by infrastructure industry training provider Connexis, is this year to be hosted by local lines companies Waipā Networks and The Lines Company and will be held at Te Awamutu’s Castleton Park on 22-24 October.

“The opportunity, not just to compete but to share knowledge, promote excellence, and connect skilled workers from across New Zealand who will be our industry’s future leaders is a vital part of creating a diverse and skilled workforce willing to develop and grow,” Gaukrodger says.

“Typically, the kind of work these skilled workers are doing goes unseen in the backcountry, so Annual Connection gives them a platform to demonstrate what they know, and test that against others from across the motu.”

Annual Connection is also an opportunity for school students to see energy workers in action and get a feel for what a career in the industry looks like. A supplier expo will showcase new technologies and the event will close with the Connexis Excellence Awards, celebrating and recognising the country’s top electricity supply industry trainees.

Gaukrodger says Connexis is thrilled to be partnering with two hosts in The Lines Company and Waipā Networks to bring Annual Connection to central Waikato.

“Both these companies have been closely involved with Annual Connection over the years, and for The Lines Company, it provides an exciting opportunity to defend their title on home ground as the overall winner of the Line Mechanic Competition in 2023.

Taking the competition to the regions provides the local energy companies an opportunity to showcase their work within the local community, reach out to schools to entice their future workforce, showcase their region to the electricity supply industry and allows their friends and whanau to see what these lineys and jointers get up to on a daily basis.”

The Lines Company (TLC) is a community-owned electricity distribution company based in Te Kuiti, servicing the King Country and central North Island. A crew from The Lines Company won the 2023 overall competition and will compete in Te Awamutu this month as defending champions.

TLC chief executive Mike Fox says Annual Connection is a fantastic opportunity for people to see energy supply workers in action, explore career options and learn what goes into keeping the lights on.

“It’s hugely important to acknowledge and celebrate skills within our industry,” Fox says. “It is especially important when we know that, like other sectors, the energy sector is facing an upcoming skills shortage.  The more we can do to showcase the great job opportunities available, the better.

“We’re thrilled to be a co-sponsor of the event this year, especially given we’re the defending champions!  So we’ll be at the competition with bells on, supporting our team, talking to our stakeholders and engaging with as many people as possible.  It’s going to be a great event and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Waipā Networks owns and operates the electrical network powering the Waipā region around Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Kāwhia areas.

Waipā Networks chief executive Sean Horgan says hosting Annual Connection is an excellent way for the company to showcase its work in its own backyard.

“This fantastic event will once again shine a light on the crucial mahi and skills our teams use daily to keep the lights on our communities and make sure our customers stay connected,” Horgan says.

“Annual Connection is not only an opportunity to highlight the exciting career opportunities in our sector, but it also serves as a platform to bring attention to the increasing demand for electricity in Aotearoa.

“With the demand projected to double by 2050, we anticipate electricity distribution companies across the country will need to recruit an additional 150 people annually to manage this growth. As a growing region here in Waipā, with an impending population boom, it brings home the importance of attracting new talent to meet these demands.”

www.annualconnection.co.nz

connexis.org.nz

For more information, please contact:
Tracey Mehrtens
Accento Communications
tracey@accento.nz
021430606

About Connexis
Connexis is a division of Te Pūkenga, New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology. Connexis arranges, delivers, supports, and assesses work-based learning for the infrastructure industries of Civil, Energy, Telecommunications, and Water. Te Pūkenga brings together on-the-job, on-campus, and online vocational education and training through a unified, sustainable network of regionally accessible provision.

The post <strong>Electrifying New Zealand</strong> appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.

A visit to a Girls With Hi-Vis event in 2023 opened up a whole new world for then 16-year-old Sofie McCormick.

Sofie attended a Canterbury GWHV event hosted by infrastructure services company Ventia while still a student at local Ellesmere College. With her interest piqued in an infrastructure trade career, Sofie then landed an introduction to a possible apprenticeship with Ventia.

Under Ventia’s supervision, Sophie is working as a trade assistant as a trial leading into a possible apprenticeship. Ventia is giving Sofie a taste of the job, and once Sophie and Ventia are both happy for Sofie to embark on a career as an electrician, Ventia will offer her an apprenticeship.

“I’ve been doing my Level 2 qualification so I’m doing course book work Monday to Thursday and then work experience on Friday,” she says. “I’ve run cables, soldered copper bars, and bolter droppers on to circuit breakers.

“All the people are really kind and easy to work with, and just learning all about electricity and how it all works has been really interesting. I had no idea about what goes on behind the scenes to keep our power running.”

Sofie says GWHV was a great introduction to working in an infrastructure trade role like an electricity supply industry electrician. “I liked how interactive it was. We did a range of different things [at the GWHV event] and I think it painted a really good picture of what kind of work you could be getting into.”

Being a part of GWHV also introduced Sofie to Ventia, its work and the types of jobs it offered, which she hadn’t known about previously. She recommends attending GWHV events and learning more about jobs in different infrastructure sectors to other young women considering their career options.

“I think this is a really good industry to get into. There are so many different paths you can take. You keep learning and learning about different things as you go along.”

Ventia apprentice assessor Andrew Massie says GWHV offers the company a great opportunity to connect with local schools and make students aware of the company’s “invisible” industry.

“We say invisible because nobody takes notice of electricity supply until it stops. We are getting ourselves into a position to be able to recruit from these schools and encourage students to enrol in pre-trade courses for future employment. Sofie is an exception to that thanks to her fantastic attitude,” Andrew says.

Massie says Sofie’s attitude and approach to her training should ensure she has a bright future in the industry.

“Sofie has all the hallmarks of a great apprentice and tradie. She has an awesome attitude, drive, grit and determination, as well as passion for the industry. We have no doubt she will be hugely successful.”

The post GWHV connects trainee to bright future appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.