Kia ora koutou,  

As we approach the shortest day of the year, we are moving closer toward our 2026 elections with many I’ve talked to hoping that it brings continuity in infrastructure investment and stability to the vocational education and training system that has been in an extended state of change. 

The recent Budget 2026 announcements brought welcome investment in infrastructure, such as the Waikato Expressway extension, rail investment, state highway resilience and energy stability. This signals not only increased activity but also employment and training opportunities across the infrastructure sector as the need to grow our skilled local infrastructure workforce continues to increase. 

The Budget also takes a positive step toward meeting the growing demand for a skilled local workforce, through curriculum changes that introduce more industry-led subjects and increased investment in trades training for Years 11 to 13. This shift is encouraging, as it recognises and supports the more than two-thirds of school leavers who do not pursue a university pathway. 

For Connexis, this shift reflects what we have long understood, vocational pathways play a critical role in building both individual careers and a strong local workforce to support the health and prosperity of New Zealanders through quality-built infrastructure. 

The wider vocational education and training (VET) system continues to evolve through its current redesign. Connexis remains part of the Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board (EIISB), following the transition out of the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST – formally known as Te Pūkenga,) as the government moves to close NZIST. Within this context, Connexis has received strong support from employers and key stakeholders to continue as a national provider for infrastructure work-based training and we are working closely with the EIISB, New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) with the aim to transition out of the EIISB later in 2026. The final approval for the transition out of the EIISB is made by the TEC Board. 

While this work progresses, we want to reassure employers and learners that it is very much business as usual. We continue to support current learners and welcome new enrolments with the confidence that every learner will continue to be supported through to the end of the training programmes and attainment of their qualification. You can keep updated on the vocational education and training developments on our dedicated VET review page here. 

Alongside system changes, our focus remains firmly on supporting delivery of high-quality training and development opportunities. We’ve been pleased by the strong uptake of our Lead Well leadership programmes, delivered both in person and online nationwide. These programmes support not only trade and technical capability but also those moving into leadership roles, providing practical tools and confidence to lead effectively in the workforce. 

Another key initiative in developing resilient leaders is our Connexis Outward Bound scholarships. You can read about the latest recipients in this eNews. It’s inspiring to hear how participants grow and return to their workplaces better equipped to handle challenges. 

June marks our Girls with Hi-Vis® (GWHV) month, now in its 11th year. This nationwide initiative continues to grow, with over 30 host companies across New Zealand, 80 schools and over 800 female schooled students registered to attend this year. Through site visits, practical activities and meeting other females already working in the sector, these events are helping to broaden career horizons and deliver real opportunities as students connect with local infrastructure employers. It’s exciting to see females who first were introduced to infrastructure careers through GWHV, now hosting these events for their employers. Since its launch, we have seen the proportion of Connexis female trade and technical trainees grow from 8% in 2015 to 16%. 

Finally, we recognise the commitment it takes for our learners to be working fulltime while undertaking their training. Balancing work life, home life and study can be challenging. At Connexis we have a number of support mechanisms available. If someone is finding the learning challenging, there are tools and support available including reader/writer assistive technologies and one-on-one support. Please do reach out to your account manager if one of your team are feeling particularly challenged on their learning journey. Or if a learner needs help to find that life balance or support with relationship concerns, or requires financial or legal advice, they can access FREE support through VITAE here. 

As always, thank you for your continued investment and commitment to building and retaining a skilled, capable and resilient infrastructure workforce.  

Kia ora koutou,
 
As of January 1, Connexis has been operating within the Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board (EIISB), following the announcement of the disestablishment of the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST – formerly known as Te Pūkenga). This is our temporary home as work-based training heads back to industry ownership. 

I would like to thank our employers and learners for the written support provided for Connexis to continue as your national training provider. You can be confident in continuing to enrol in our training programmes and we will be here now and, in the future, to ensure industry has the skills required to build and maintain quality infrastructure for our communities.  

At Connexis we continue with business as usual, enrolling and supporting learners and continuing to develop and improve our products and services, and behind the scenes we are working with our industry partners on the next steps in the return to industry ownership. Part of this is the establishment of a new legal entity that we can transition Connexis from the EIISB to. This new entity will be the future home for Connexis as an industry owned and led Private Training Establishment (PTE). 

Today we are excited to share that the new entity has been established – Connexis Inc, with industry partners Civil Contractors New Zealand, Electrical Engineers Association and Water New Zealand, joining as founding members. An application has also been lodged with NZQA for PTE status for Connexis Inc. There are still some key steps to undertake before we can transition into the new entity, and our aim is for Connexis to be operating as a industry owned and led PTE in 2027. If you would like to understand more about this transition, we are keeping our Vocational Education and Training page updated on our website and you can visit here. 

 
I’m sure you’ll also be pleased to hear that while there is work being undertaken on these administrative challenges, the Connexis team are focused on improving our training programmes and support to our employers and learners, with learner success as our key driver. 
 
Our work programme for the year is well underway, with organisation of our 2026 high-profile national initiatives and events like Girls with Hi-Vis®, due to be hosted around the country in June, and Annual Connection which will be hosted by Counties Energy in October, in motion. 
 
Registrations have now closed for our sought-after Outward Bound scholarships and we look forward to announcing this year’s recipients soon. These opportunities are another way we help support learners with leadership and personal development skills as they continue into the next stages of their career. 
 
In 2026 we will further support leadership development with a series of half day Lead Well workshops running March to May. Designed to work alongside initiatives like one-to-one mentoring and our Vitae counselling services, these workshops equip learners with practical leadership tools they can apply immediately, in their training, on the job, and in their personal lives. 

 
Finally, as we near the end of our Q1, I’d invite you to consider talking to your CSAM and local high schools about the possibility of taking on Gateway learners. Building a relationship with your local schools who hold your future workforce of motivated students is a tried and tested way to secure good apprentices and future industry stars. 

 
I wish you all the best for a successful year ahead and look forward to continuing our work with you. 

Kia ora koutou,
 
Thank you for your continued support as we head toward the end of another big year and rapidly approaching the next stage of changes to the setup of vocational education and training (VET) within New Zealand. We are currently preparing Connexis to transition out of the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST – formally known as Te Pūkenga) and into the Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board (ISB) on 01 January 2026.

Like the other transitions that have occurred since 2021, our focus is on ensuring no interruption to Connexis training programmes and qualifications, and no changes to the services we provide to our learners and employers. We will continue to take new enrolments across all our training programmes in the Civil, Electricity Supply, Telco and Water industries and ensure learners are well supported through to completion of their training programme to attain their qualification.

Our ISB is one of eight being established by the Government, to be gazetted as standard setting bodies, replacing the previous Workforce Development Councils. This is a holding place for Connexis and the other work-based learning divisions exiting NZIST, providing time for industry to take back ownership and leadership of industry training.

As part of industry training returning to industry, we are working with the TEC transition team on the plan for Connexis’ move out of the ISB. As part of this, TEC wants to hear from our customers as to whether you support Connexis continuing as your national training provider and transition into an industry owned and led private training establishment (PTE). As such, we will be coming out to seek written support for this.

You can find more information on the VET Review page on our website.

While the VET changes are a distraction, we continue to deliver our industry focused activities and review and improve our training programmes and delivery.

Connexis has just wrapped up another incredibly successful Annual Connection, the iconic Electricity Supply Industry competition that spotlights the skilled workforce and rewarding careers available. The event was held in Christchurch, and while we entered a state of emergency, everyone managed to pack up safely and there was a bonus having north island line mechanic crews in the south, as some stayed back to help the local companies respond to network faults.

Connexis is also thrilled to announce a new cohort of recipients of the Connexis Outward Bound and Whenua Iti scholarships. We are incredibly proud to offer these scholarships each year, as they provide our future industry leaders with incredible skills they can carry into all areas of their life.

Finally, I’d also like to draw your attention to a life-changing pilot training programme Connexis has been running in partnership with Corrections NZ at Whanganui Prison. This programme puts prisoners through training for the NZ Certificate of Infrastructure Works (level 3). At Connexis we are strong believers in the power education and training can have in changing people’s lives. It’s about giving people from all backgrounds the opportunity to obtain a qualification, feel successful, and take with them tools that will positively impact their future.

As the year comes to a close, I wish you all a safe and happy summer and look forward to working closely with you all in 2026.

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 launch detail for our reduced enrolment fee promotion, along with a focus on the extra support you and your trainees can access while training with Connexis.