Thursday July 2, 2026: The next generation of New Zealand women are stepping up to take their place on the country’s major infrastructure projects and work sites. 

Throughout June, Connexis Girls with Hi-Vis^® saw female secondary students from around the country visit their local infrastructure employers to find out more about the career opportunities in industries such as civil construction, electricity supply, telecommunications and water treatment.  

While onsite in the country’s power stations, highway construction sites and water treatment plants, the students were able to try for themselves some of the skills required to work in infrastructure trades, and connect with other women already working in them, as well as local employers. 

Girls with Hi-Vis^® (GWHV), now in its 11th year, was developed by infrastructure industries training provider Connexis, to make more young women aware of the traditionally male-dominated career pathways open to them that they may not have previously considered. 

In 2015 the event began with three Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) companies hosting events and 50 female students in attendance. This year saw more than 30 events scheduled around the country with more than 80 schools and 800 students attending. 

Connexis now has its highest-ever number of enrolled female learners; with the proportion of female learners doubling from 8% in 2015 when GWHV was first launched to 16% in 2025. 

Connexis Executive Director Kaarin Gaukrodger says the growth of GWHV since it began in 2015 is testament to the value it offers both students and employers. 

“In 2015 Connexis had 8% of trainees in trade and technical roles were female, today that figure is 16%. We are now attending Girls with Hi-Vis^® events hosted by female apprentices who were introduced to their employer at a Girls with Hi-Vis^® event,” Gaukrodger says.  

“Women still represent a largely untapped employment market for a lot of our infrastructure industries, many of which are facing skills shortages. One of the most effective ways of changing that is simply awareness.  

“So many of the students attending a Connexis Girls with Hi-Vis^® event come out of it with their eyes open to new opportunities that have never been presented to them before. On top of that they are making key connections with employers in their local area.” 

Connexis GWHV also offers a great hands-on opportunity for young women to see industry-led trades apprenticeships as a practical, valuable path to training and qualifications, if they are looking for alternatives to university that let them earn while they learn, Gaukrodger says. 

“Trades training is no longer an after-thought for two-thirds of school students who are not looking at an academic career pathway through university. It’s recognised as an important, affordable option for gaining a tertiary qualification while working that will provide the foundation and step up into long and varied careers, using high-demand skills that are unlikely to be overtaken by AI.” 

Read more about Connexis Girls with Hi-Vis® from our inspirational ambassador and recent Outward Bound scholarship recipient Annabelle Thorpe-Hall here 

For more information on Girls with Hi-Vis®, including inspirational work stories, visit the Connexis Girls with Hi-Vis® page. 

For more information please contact 

Kerri Jackson 

Accento Communications 

kerri@accento.nz 

0220885860 

About Connexis 

Connexis is a training provider for New Zealand’s Civil, Energy, Telecommunications, and Water infrastructure industries. Connexis works with infrastructure employers to develop and deliver nationally recognised programmes for apprenticeships and professional qualifications that sit on the New Zealand Qualification and Competency Framework. Connexis is committed to increasing the capability and capacity of New Zealand’s infrastructure workforce through high quality, work-based training across these industries which are vital to keeping New Zealand connected. 

The post Creating opportunities for women in infrastructure appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.

“I knew I didn’t want to go to university but I loved doing hands-on work and learning in a practical way.”  

The answer to that equation for 19-year-old Annabelle Thorpe-Hall was taking on an electrical trade apprenticeship, with ElectriNET, part of the Horizon Energy Group, in Gisborne.  

“The subjects I enjoyed in school were maths and physics. I spoke to my careers advisor at school and she showed me some of the options. I decided to contact some local businesses to see if I could spend some time shadowing them at work.  

“I reached out to a range of trades and ElectriNet offered me the opportunity to spend a day a week with them where I spent time with electricians, fire technicians and data technicians. I loved my time there and was lucky enough to be offered an apprenticeship so here I am.” 

Now Annabelle is spreading the word about the opportunities that lie in an electrical trade by taking part in Connexis Girls with Hi-Vis^® in Whakatane with Horizon Networks. The nationwide event held each year through June, offers female secondary students to meet with local potential employers onsite to learn about infrastructure trade careers, meet the women already working in them and try their hand at some of the technical skills required. 

“I am looking forward to meeting other girls who might be interested in getting into trades, just being able to answer any questions they might have or tell them what I do in a day” Annabelle says. “It might help them decide whether it’s something they would like to do or not.” 

One of the things Annabelle would like other women to know about her job is just how varied it is. 

“The variety of work and opportunities that I have at ElectriNET is huge. I never realised how many different jobs electricians do,” she says. “What I really enjoy about my job is having a wide variety of work. Every day is different. You get to visit so many different sites and meet a whole range of people. 

“I get to use lots of different problem solving skills, and be able to help people. 

“If it’s something you are interested in and enjoy hands-on work then give it a go. Don’t be put off thinking it’s a male-dominated trade. My attitude has always been that if you’re willing to learn and want to do the job then that’s all that matters. It doesn’t make any difference whether you’re a male or female.” 

Annabelle  was also a recipient of a Connexis Outward Bound scholarship and recently completed her course. She says the experience was challenging but in a positive way. 

“I absolutely loved Outward Bound. It was the perfect environment for me to be pushed out of my comfort zone and I was able to learn so much about myself. I was able to participate in so many activities I wouldn’t have normally done.  

“I learnt that I’m capable of much more than I thought, and I learnt many skills around communicating and being around a new group of people. I learned that putting yourself out of your comfort zone can be a huge positive and you can get so much out of an experience if you just give everything a go and don’t always say no just because you’re nervous or don’t think you’re capable.  

“I learned to give everything a good go and don’t turn down opportunities even if you’re really nervous and don’t want to go. Speak up if you have ideas and encourage other people around you to do the same, working in a team can be so much more efficient and your ideas can become so much more developed.”  

The post Every day is different appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.

Hands-on work experience is key to connecting young women to the wide variety of career opportunities that exist in traditionally male-dominated infrastructure trades, according to one of the industry’s leading training providers. 

Kicking off this week Girls with Hi-Vis^® (GWHV) is an annual month-long series of events developed by Connexis, infrastructure training provider for the civil construction, energy, telecommunications and water industries. Throughout June every year GWHV sees New Zealand’s major infrastructure employers host female secondary students onsite to demonstrate the career pathways open to them working in fields such as highway construction, power distribution and water treatment.  

While onsite the students are able to try their hand at some of the day-to-day tasks required in different infrastructure trades and hear from other women already building successful and varied careers in the industries. 

Connexis Executive Director Kaarin Gaukrodger says as well as making more young women aware of career opportunities in infrastructure that they may not have previously considered, GWHV makes an important connection between the value of vocational pathways, offering tertiary qualifications while building a successful career in an industry that offers plenty of pathways for ongoing development. 

“At GWHV events the female students have fun and engage in opportunities to find out what these types of jobs really involve. They see for themselves that they are more than capable of doing this practical, physical work that is crucial to the health and prosperity of their local community.” 

“They also see the skills required and how they are able to gain those skills through work-based training they can complete while working, earning and building their career,” Gaukrodger says. “Most importantly it connects the students with local employers and the Connexis team who can work with both the businesses and the schools to find Gateway work experience placements that can lead to apprenticeships and jobs.” 

GWHV has been running for more than ten years, and Gaukrodger says its success at opening up infrastructure trades to more women is evident in its growth each year and the increase in females undertaking infrastructure training. In 2015 the event began with three Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) companies hosting events and 50 female students in attendance. This year there are 30 events scheduled right around the country, with more than 80 schools and 800 students set to attend. 

“That growth indicates employers and school careers advisors recognise that young women have generally been overlooked as a potential workforce. Many of our schools and employers are also repeat participants which is a good indication of the value they see in the event,” she says. 

Connexis now has its highest-ever number of enrolled female learners; with the proportion of female learners doubling from 8% in 2015 when GWHV was first launched to 16% in 2025. 

“That growth is partly due to the ongoing impact of GWHV,” Gaukrodger says. 

“We are now in the fantastic position of having women working in infrastructure careers who attended a GWHV event and are now passing their knowledge and experiences on to other young women at GWHV events being held by their employer.” 

This year’s GWHV includes a te reo Māori event in Ōtaki on the expressway construction site at Te Pae o Tararua: Ōtaki to north of Levin. 

For a full list of Girls with Hi-Vis® events, inspirational work stories and information, visit the Connexis Girls with Hi-Vis® page.  

Read Azra’s career journey to becoming a line mechanic field supervisor. 

For more information please contact 

Kerri Jackson 

Accento Communications 

kerri@accento.nz 

0220885860 

About Connexis 

Connexis is a training provider for New Zealand’s Civil, Energy, Telecommunications, and Water infrastructure industries. Connexis works with infrastructure employers to develop and deliver nationally recognised programmes for apprenticeships and professional qualifications that sit on the New Zealand Qualification and Competency Framework. Connexis is committed to increasing the capability and capacity of New Zealand’s infrastructure workforce through high quality, work-based learning across these industries which are vital to keeping New Zealand connected. 

The post Changing the face of who keeps New Zealand connected  appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure 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 HEB Construction in Waikato since August 2019, working in several different roles. She completed her New Zealand Certificate in Infrastructure Works (Level 3) and, without hesitation, enrolled in the New Zealand Certificate – New Zealand Apprenticeship in Infrastructure Works (Civil) (Level 4) – Road Maintenance Strand, which she completed in December 2024.

But Kaitlyn, who won the Waikato region CCNZ Apprentice of the Year last year, isn’t done with her training yet. She has now enrolled in the New Zealand Diploma in Civil Engineering.

That’s quite a shift in thinking from when she started at HEB. “When I first started, I didn’t see myself in the job for more than six months. I intended to use this industry as a stepping stone until I secured another job in an entirely different line of work.

“That has changed massively. I’m still here six years later and have achieved way more than I thought I ever could. I’ve become really passionate about my career within HEB.

“When I started, I expected to find it hard coming into such a male-dominated field, but I quickly realised it didn’t matter if I was female. I was given the same opportunities as everyone else and was 100% supported when I showed interest in becoming a machine operator.

“I’m now a full-time grader driver, and I’m studying for my diploma in Civil engineering.”

Two of the things Kaitlyn enjoys most about her work are the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a job and working in a close-knit team. “It’s extremely fulfilling knowing each day that my workmates have my back and that we’re there to support one another, day in, day out.

“I also love that there are opportunities for career progression, which can lead you to a whole bunch of different avenues within the industry.”

Kaitlyn also manages to balance her ongoing learning with being a mum of two and a manager of a local children’s hockey team.

To other young women who might be considering a career in civil construction, she says: “Go for it!
“There are so many opportunities out there. It’s a field that can challenge you, but it can also bring out the best in you and make you realise you’re capable of skills you never thought you would have.
“Don’t be discouraged by stereotypes or doubts. The good days definitely outweigh the bad in this industry.”

HEB Training Manager – Learning and Development, David Hall, says, “Kaitlyn worked hard to achieve her Level 3 qualification and Level 4 apprenticeship through Connexis, and it’s amazing to see her go on to enrol in the Civil Engineering Diploma.

“She has worked hard with her studies and has found time to help her workmates with their own studies. Kaitlyn truly is an inspiration to all women in the civil industry who are looking to further their career through the HEB apprentice programme.

Well done, Kaitlyn—a deserving winner of Apprentice of the Year.”

The post Constructing a Career Through Training appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.

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 hand at on-the-job trade skills and gain a practical understanding of what work-based training and apprenticeships can offer them as a career pathway.

Connexis is the leading work-based training provider for infrastructure industries such as civil, energy, telecommunications and water. Connexis established GWHV ten years ago in response to a request by infrastructure employers to help them attract more young women to careers in the infrastructure trades and help them grow a diverse workforce.

Connexis executive director Kaarin Gaukrodger says the real world experiences the secondary school students gain at GWHV events gives them an understanding of what working in these trades will be like, but also the advantages of work-based apprenticeship training toward gaining a tertiary qualification and a career.

“The students come to Girls with Hi-Vis® events from school where most of their learning is classroom based. Being exposed to real working environments, often at some of the country’s major infrastructure assets like power stations and roading projects, opens them up to a whole new practical way of learning.

“One of the most common feedback comments we get from those who attend Girls with Hi-Vis®, and those who go on into Gateway programmes from school, is that they appreciate the opportunity to learn by doing,” Gaukrodger says. “A classroom environment doesn’t suit everyone, so being given the opportunity to learn on the job often really fires up the students’ enthusiasm for trades and work-based apprenticeship training.”

This year’s GWHV saw students from 91 schools don their hi-vis to visit hydro and geothermal power stations, and highway and public walkway construction projects, as well as learn skills like cable jointing, traffic management, working at height, and operating heavy machinery.

One former student who has experienced the benefits of GWHV first-hand is Natalee Hughes. Natalee attended a Connexis GWHV event at Horizon Networks in Whakatane in 2022 while still a student at Trident High School. It opened Hughes’ eyes to a new world of career possibilities.

After attending GWHV Hughes enrolled in a Gateway programme to start training as a line mechanic with Horizon, while finishing high school, and joined the company as a full-time  apprentice line mechanic soon after. She is now nearing the end of her apprenticeship with Horizon and took her place at the company’s 2025 GWHV event to share her experiences with students from her old high school.

“I really enjoyed the day when I visited through Girls with Hi-Vis®. As a student I really enjoyed being a bucket operator and controlling a crane, but the best thing was pole top rescue and I really enjoyed the hands-on nature of the work.

“GWHV is important because it gives girls a chance to try things you wouldn’t usually expect girls to do,” she says. “If you’re thinking about a trade, just go for it. Don’t let the opportunity pass you by.”

Gaukrodger says the career opportunities offered by industries, such as infrastructure, which have traditionally been male dominated, are still not well-promoted to women – and are often under-sold to all students. “Too often trade careers are still regarded as a ‘last resort’ for school students who might be struggling academically. By connecting students directly with local employers through events like Girls with Hi-Vis® and Gateway, Connexis can show them that there are great opportunities to be found.

“While you may start as an apprentice, that gives you a foundation on which you can build a life-long career – taking on greater responsibilities, continuously adding to your skills and knowledge and moving into leadership or more specialised technical roles,” she says. “Plus, you are supported through that whole journey, through Connexis pastoral support and training guidance to keep your training on track.”

Mt Albert Grammar, Auckland, teacher Karen Caso, who attended a GWHV event hosted by Omexom in Auckland says: “It was great for the students to have hands-on experience of a variety of activities that gives them an idea of what these jobs involve. They were able to interact with staff and give different things a go. It was a really informative day for them.”

The post Hands-on work experience key to enticing apprentices appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.

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 was for her.

Once she left school, Natalee joined Horizon full time as an apprentice line mechanic and is due to complete her apprenticeship later in 2025. She’s also gone on to help encourage other young women into similar apprenticeships by helping out at recent GWHV events.

“I really enjoyed the day when I visited through Girls with Hi-Vis®. As a student I really enjoyed being a bucket operator and controlling a crane, but the best thing was pole top rescue and I really enjoyed the hands-on nature of the work.

“GWHV is important because it gives girls a chance to try things you wouldn’t usually expect girls to do,” she says. “If you’re thinking about a trade, just go for it. Don’t let the opportunity pass you by — you might regret it.”

Natalee’s own successes are proof of where trades training can take you. After seeing her speak confidently and passionately to other young women at GWHV about the opportunities open to them, Natalee was selected by Horizon and Connexis for a Connexis Outward Bound scholarship in 2024 in recognition of her leadership skills.

“I wanted to do Outward Bound because I wanted to try something I’d never tried before and I wanted to gain confidence in my own abilities,” Natalee says, adding that one of the most rewarding parts of the experience was working with the team of people on her Outward Bound course.

“They were non-judgemental and they were all amazing people who really encouraged me to never give up on myself or my teammates. I was nervous about the 5km run we had to do, because of an injury, but I managed it and didn’t give up. I felt amazing afterwards. I had a real sense of accomplishment,” Natalee says.

“I also learned to always have the courage to speak up for yourself. In this job it’s really important as if you ever feel unsafe you need to speak up, and if I have a question I need to have the courage to ask.”

Back on the job with Horizon, Natalee says the thing she loves most about her job is the people she works with out in the field. “They push me past boundaries that I never thought I could cross. They make me feel a part of the line mechanic whānau.”

The post From Hi-Vis to High Voltage: Natalee Hughes is lighting the way for women in trades appeared first on Connexis | Infrastructure Training.

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 in the sector and helping ease serious skills shortages.

GWHV sees employers invite female secondary school students onsite at some of the country’s key infrastructure assets, sites, and projects for hands-on experience of the skills and experiences on offer when training for an infrastructure trade. A key component of Connexis training is that it’s on-the-job, with apprentices working and getting paid as they study for their qualifications.

Connexis executive director Kaarin Gaukrodger says GWHV offers a unique opportunity for “real world” experience for young women who may not have considered the opportunities available to them as an infrastructure trade apprentice.

“Our industries are keen to draw the attention of women toward infrastructure careers, as women have shown to add real value into the crews and teams they work with,” Gaukrodger says.

“Women can bring a different approach to jobs which can benefit everyone. For example, they might adapt physically demanding tasks to find a new way of doing them. That can reduce fatigue and improve safety onsite for everyone. Other valuable skill sets they might bring are attention to detail and good communication skills.”

Gaukrodger says most of the infrastructure industries Connexis works with are facing severe skills shortages so they are reaching out to everyone in their local communities to make them aware of the career opportunities available.

“Infrastructure apprentices and trainees have the chance to work on huge projects, operating impressive machinery with lots of opportunities to grow, while keeping our communities connected, healthy and safe.

“The employers understand the opportunity that comes with bringing more females into their workforce, which is why so many of them have long supported GWHV. Our job is to make sure infrastructure trades are front of mind for the next generation of young women when they’re making decisions about their future careers. GWHV is a really effective way to do that.”

As well as showcasing the skills and offering the potential to work in some amazing locations, GWHV introduces the students to potential employers and other women already working in the industry who share their own experiences and the career pathways that can open up through work-based learning and apprenticeship training.

“They see first-hand how the work they’re doing benefits their own local communities as well as the whole country,” Gaukrodger says. “With 43 of the Government Fast Track projects announced last year designated as infrastructure, it is an exciting time to be starting a career in these trades. There is the potential to be working on projects that will have a huge impact on the country.”

While onsite at one of the 30 events being held around New Zealand in major infrastructure sites such as wind farms, hydro power stations, highway construction projects and water treatment plants, several hundred students will don hi-vis gear to try tasks such as installing a water meter, working in confined spaces, driving diggers and trucks, climbing power poles, and jointing cables.

For a full list of Girls with Hi-Vis® events, inspirational work stories and information, check out our Girls with Hi-Vis page. 

About Connexis: Connexis (infrastructure) is a national industry training provider and business division of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology.

Connexis develops programmes, arranges training, undertakes quality management for consistency and quality outcomes, provides industry promotion, supports employers in growing capability and learners to obtain nationally-recognised (NZQA) micro-credentials and qualifications through apprenticeships and traineeships in civil infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, and water.

The post Females a key part of strengthening the infrastructure workforce 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.

Hundreds of female secondary school students from throughout the country have just had a taste of a career in infrastructure – and they’ve loved it.

Throughout the month of June worksites around the country – from Auckland in the north to Manapouri in the south – have become a learning ground to encourage more young women to begin a career in infrastructure. The students have donned hi-vis vests and done it all from driving diggers and trucks, to climbing power poles and checking out some of New Zealand’s largest energy generating assets.

The month long series of Girls with Hi-Vis® (GWHV) events is held annually by Connexis | Te Pūkenga and Executive Director Kaarin Gaukrodger says, “The infrastructure industry keeps New Zealand moving – roads need replacing, water pipes and systems upgrading, power lines maintained and faster broadband technology needs installing – and the skills required to deliver the future face of infrastructure continues to grow.

“These skillsets are in high demand, particularly with the current challenges to help get the country back on track after the recent storms and flooding that has hit nationwide.”

Kaarin says the industry gets right behind GWHV and adds that even torrential rain and a local state of emergency didn’t stop, only delayed, two GWHV events in Gisborne and Auckland, with the Downer and Ventia events now taking place in mid-July.

Ahena Patelesio from St Catherine’s College in Wellington went to the GWHV event at Meridian Energy, West Wind Farm, Makara. “This really opened my mind more to think about trades as an option for me. It was a really good experience,” she says.

Hamilton Girls High School student Cadence Kepa adds, “The GWHV event has changed my thoughts about a career in infrastructure because it’s all hands-on instead of just sitting in an office doing work like you would at school. It’s been interesting. We learnt about a lot of new skills.”

GWHV showcased the day to day roles of those tradespeople keeping our communities connected and provides an understanding of the career opportunities within their local community within infrastructure’s Civil, Energy, Telecommunications and Water industries.

Close to 620 students from 69 schools – including a large number of schools involved for the first time in the annual event – experienced what the infrastructure industry has to offer as a career.

Emily Grenside attended a GWHV event a couple of years ago and is now an apprentice with Unison. “Attending a Girls with Hi-Vis® event gave me the insight into what it was like working for Unison as a female and to see the opportunities they had. I hadn’t really thought about joining the industry before that.

“What I would say to other young women is to just do it. Get involved and put yourself out there. It’s not as scary as you think it is.

“It’s not about gender. I’m an apprentice. I’m there to work and I get treated like everybody else.”

Kaarin says that at the GWHV event at Clyde Dam it was really encouraging to see the enthusiasm from school students in terms of learning about opportunities within their local communities, as well as employers who are super keen to attract more females into the industry.

“There is already significant effort being put in by infrastructure employers to have greater female representation in their workforce and this is evident in the number of female employees that are now available to speak at these GWHV events and increase the visibility of women in infrastructure.”

Kaarin adds that GWHV is a key driver to attracting more young women to what is a traditionally male dominated industry. “If we are to effectively address critical skills shortages within infrastructure industries, and meet the future needs of our communities through innovation, it is clear we must be more visible precisely where and when young people are making crucial career decisions. And that’s where Girls with Hi-Vis® comes in.”

For the first time this year some of the GWHV events incorporated the construction industry with BCITO ❙ Te Pūkenga, the construction training provider and EarnLearn | Te Pūkenga who cover specialist trades such as scaffolding, plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying, and electrical. The employers within these industries are also looking to attract more trainees and see the GWHV events as a great opportunity to do this.

The infrastructure industry is leading the way when it comes to employing women in what has traditionally been a male-dominated sector, last year proudly reaching a target figure of 10% of women trainees in the industry. This has been a steady build on 11 years ago when 3% of trainees were women.

For further information visit connexis.org.nz/girls-with-hi-vis

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After GWHV, Brodie wanted to gain work experience in the civil industry with Downer Gisborne. The company then funded Brodie to get her restricted driver’s license and, while she was still at school, arranged for her to work one day a week at the Downer Waerenga-o-kauri Quarry, west of Gisborne as a quarry apprentice operator.

Since January Brodie has been with Downer Gisborne full-time, working on the crusher at Waerenga-o-kauri Quarry breaking down material into gravel that will be used on work sites around the region, including those damaged in Cyclone Gabrielle.

At the GWHV event in 2022 through her school Gisborne Girls High, Brodie appreciated seeing other women operators at work within Downer. It also made her appreciate the wide variety of work Downer undertakes and all the different types of jobs within the company.

“One of the things I learned at that event was that Downer is a lot more than traffic management, which is the part of the work that you mostly see.

“I would suggest to other girls who aren’t sure what they might want to do for a job, go to a Girls with Hi-Vis event, if you get the chance. You’ll get a lot out of the day, trying different skills you didn’t realise were options.

“This work really isn’t just for the males.”

One of the people Brodie met at last year’s Downer Gisborne GWHV event was Tayla Te Hau who is now mentoring Brodie in her work at Downer Waerenga-o-kauri Quarry, particularly in aspects of working in a male-dominant team.

“There are still some people who think I can’t do the job just because I’m not male, but I just show them I can by doing it. And if I need help I will ask for it.”

Downer provides several programs from youth programs, new career pathways to leadership programs. Brodie recently completed Te Rito which is a career readiness program to gain skills and qualifications to successfully transition into a fulltime position with Downer. This is a marae and classroom-based program, which connects all young Downer female employees around the country, so they are supported and connected with other women to share their experiences.

For Brodie her focus has been on getting up to speed on the crusher and Moxy trucks, getting her licenses and simply enjoying the job. “I love that it’s hands-on and every day is different.”

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