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The devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle has demonstrated how essential a robust electrical supply industry workforce is to keep New Zealand connected and operational in times of crisis, says the executive director of ESI training provider, Connexis | Te Pūkenga.
Kaarin Gaukrodger, executive director of Connexis | Te Pūkenga, New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, says Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) tradespeople and apprentices have been working through the weather elements to reconnect cut-off communities and repair broken infrastructure.
“Let’s all take a moment to acknowledge that mahi. Those crews have been quick to respond to ensure flood-affected areas are reconnected as quickly as possible, while providing support and hope to those most impacted. The importance of this work to local communities cannot be understated,” Gaukrodger says.
The value of having a skilled local workforce comes to the forefront during a natural disaster. “Never has it been more evident how essential it is to have a sustainable electricity supply workforce, and never has it been more evident how essential that workforce is to the business of keeping New Zealand connected, safe and operating. This is the year to be clear, consistent and urgent in our message to have a planned approach to investing in a skilled local infrastructure workforce.
Gaukrodger says Connexis, which officially transitioned to become part Te Pūkenga at the start of 2023, has a range of initiatives aimed at addressing the skills shortages in ESI, and across the wider infrastructure sector.
“Along with employers and key industry associations, Connexis continues to look at how we attract the next generation of skilled infrastructure tradespeople and professionals and meet our communities’ needs.”
Annual Connection
Annual Connection, the annual celebration of New Zealand’s skilled ESI workers, will be held in Invercargill, 19-21 September, with thanks to host sponsor PowerNet.
PowerNet chief executive Jason Franklin says his company is excited to be a part of the popular event. “We look forward to extending our Deep South hospitality to competitors, officials, and other visitors, and are keen to work with Connexis in presenting an event that will showcase our industry and the dedicated people who keep the lights on.”
The event gives line mechanics and cable jointers the opportunity to test their abilities while showcasing safety and industry best practice under the close scrutiny of experienced judges.
“We hope to use the competitive activities of these skilled workers to raise the profile of our industry, to emphasise electricity safety messages, and to encourage more youngsters to consider careers in the electricity supply industry,” Franklin says.
Registrations for the line mechanic and cable jointer competitions, and the supplier expo are open now.
Ultimit
The purpose of Ultimit is to promote opportunities for a more diverse workforce, with the overall goal of ensuring a continuous supply of skilled trade and technical people within the infrastructure industries. Since Ultimit began a decade ago, the representation of women in infrastructure roles in New Zealand has grown consistently.
“Under the banner of Ultimit, we’ve seen the first all-female line mechanic crew compete and place at Annual Connection. It’s also a space for women who love their jobs working in the infrastructure industry to share their stories and support each other as they step forward in what has traditionally been male dominated roles.”
This year for International Women’s Day, Connexis spoke to Electra’s Madison Harvey, the first female line mechanic in her crew and you can hear her story here:
Girls with Hi-Vis®
June of this year will see the return of one of Connexis’ most successful initiatives aimed at attracting more young women into the ESI and other infrastructure careers.
Held annually, Girls with Hi-Vis® (GWHV) offers female school students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by spending a day on-site with a local infrastructure company. Each event sees them complete relevant hands-on activities, as well as hearing from other women already succeeding in the industry and learning what the ESI has to offer them. These events help build interest and showcase what opportunities are out there for the next generation.
Last year’s event was the most successful yet, with more than 650 students taking part in 26 events around the country. Surveys of students who have attended GWHV events showed that 55 per cent were not interested in an infrastructure career before attending. After attending, 95 per cent were open to considering it.
“By showcasing the potential of the sector to female career seekers we can build the workforce required to meet New Zealand’s infrastructure challenges,” Gaukrodger says. “Diversity, which brings innovation into our workforce, is going to be key for local infrastructure companies to meet the country’s strategic goals in areas like carbon emissions, sustainability and climate.”
Gaukrodger says the initiative has some fantastic success stories, with females celebrating their career in infrastructure and signalling that their attendance at a GWHV event was where it all started.
New wind farm qualifications
Wind is recognised as a key source of renewable energy in New Zealand, enabling the decarbonisation of the energy sector and helping the country reach its net zero climate change target.
A significant number of new wind farms are expected to be built over the next 30 years with forecast capacity increasing from 940 megawatts in 2022 to 6500 MW by 2050. With an average wind farm capacity of 100 MW, that’s around another 55 wind farms.
More wind farms means a demand for more wind farm technicians, which is why Connexis | Te Pūkenga has released two new wind farm programmes as part of NZQA approved wind farm qualifications.
The NZ Certificate in Wind Farm Maintenance (Level 3) focuses on the servicing aspects of wind farm maintenance and comprises 60 credits. The NZ Certificate in Wind Farm Maintenance (Level 4) focuses on wind farm diagnostic and repair maintenance activities and comprises 80 credits.
To find out more about these programmes visit connexis.org.nz/energy-qualifications.
Support for ESI learners
Connexis scholarships
In 2023 Connexis will launch two new scholarships: the Financial Assistance Scholarship and the Outward Bound Scholarship. The scholarships are funded through the new Infrastructure Education Training Charitable Trust (IETCT).
Free counselling
Connexis offers a free 24/7 counselling service, available to all learners. This offering is available through being part of the wider Te Pūkenga network and is easy to access directly through vitae.co.nz or by calling 0508 664 981.
Fees Free
The Tertiary Education Commission’s (TEC) Fees Free policy is aimed at first-time learners and covers fees up to $12,000 for a year of study or two years of training. All Connexis programmes qualify for Fees Free applications.
