“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.”
