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No disruption for trainees and apprentices. That's the key message for those in New Zealand's electricity supply industry (ESI) from the sector's leading training provider as the country's vocational and educational training (VET) structure is reviewed by the Government.
Connexis supplies industry training to the ESI across the country, as well as other infrastructure sectors such as civil, telecommunications and water.
Connexis executive director Kaarin Gaukrodger says at the time of writing, the Government was still assessing submissions on the best future structure for vocational training, but trainees, apprentices and employers can be reassured that learners will not see any interruption or changes to their current training.
In December last year the Government announced it was seeking further targeted consultation on the future delivery of VET as part of the disestablishment of Te Pūkenga. That consultation closed on 21 February 2025.
"As we wait for the outcome of that consultation, all ESI apprenticeships and training programmes continue as normal and at Connexis we continue in 'business as usual' mode, working hard with industry to ensure training programmes meet the needs of both employers and trainees," she says.
New TTM micro-credentials
New Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) micro-credentials are key new programmes being launched by Connexis, the first training organisation to offer these in New Zealand.
TTM is a core skill requirement affecting almost any infrastructure project, including maintaining the country's energy networks, Gaukrodger says.
"We are extremely excited to be a part of delivering the new risk-based TTM micro-credentials, as TTM plays such a big role in the successful rollout of infrastructure projects.
"As well as ensuring consistency in the approach to TTM, these micro-credentials offer formal recognition of skills for those who complete them, and could help form the foundation of a career built on traffic management safety," she says.
Two micro-credentials were released late last year - Temporary Traffic Management Risk Assessment (Level 4, 15 credits) and Temporary Traffic Management Design (Level 4, 20 credits) with further micro-credentials to be rolled out in the coming months.
These micro-credentials have all been developed to meet a new risk-based approach to TTM as outlined in the NZTA Waka Kotahi New Zealand Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (NZGTTM).
Connecting with the next generation
Ongoing promotion of the ESI is critical to attract the next generation of workers. Showcasing the advantages and opportunities of a career in the ESI and providing opportunities for school students to engage with the industry remains a key part of Connexis' focus through 2025, with a push for programmes like Gateway and events like Girls with Hi-Vis® and Annual Connection.
"Anytime we are able to show and help young people experience what careers in ESI, and the other infrastructure sectors, offer, rather than just tell them, is just that much more memorable and powerful for them."
Gateway
Connexis is working to promote its Gateway programmes to high schools across the country. Connexis Gateway programmes combine on-job experience, theory and assessment with unit standards going towards New Zealand Certificates in Electricity Supply Level 2 or 3, allowing students to build their skills and knowledge while still at school and gaining NCEA credits.
"For employers it's a great way to build connections with potential future apprentices and try them out in a real-world environment. For the high school students it gives them a much more accurate and detailed idea of what a career in these industries looks like so they can make informed decisions about their future, and also connects them in with a local employer," Gaukrodger says.
Girls with Hi-Vis®
Registrations are also open now for schools wanting to participate in Connexis Girls with Hi-Vis 2025® events, which will run throughout June.
GWHV gives female high school students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with employers either in their yards or onsite at some of the country's key infrastructure projects and assets. While there, students are able to talk to inspirational women already working in the industry and learn what a career in the infrastructure industries can offer.
The ESI was the first sector to come on board with GWHV when it launched in 2015, with more than 50 young women attending events hosted by lines companies from around New Zealand to learn more about the career opportunities and try their hand at different practical job skills.
"The event has grown hugely since then, to now encompass the civil and water industries. We now see well over seven hundred high school students attend dozens of events dotted all around the country," Gaukrodger says.
"Not only does GWHV showcase the skills and career paths open to women in industries such as the ESI, it opens the students' eyes to some of the huge and vital projects they could be working on that serve their own community - while introducing them to the employers who have those opportunities."
Annual Connection 2025
Connexis is thrilled to be holding Annual Connection 2025 in Christchurch with our joint co-hosts The Orion Group, EA Networks, and Connetics. The event will be held at Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch from 21-23 October.
"We're excited to be back in the South Island and are already looking forward to another inspiring three days of competition where our ESI line mechanic crews and cable jointers show off their incredible skills and teamwork," Gaukrodger says.
"Bringing Annual Connection to Christchurch - which last hosted it in 2018 - 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.
"As well as watching the competitions, Annual Connection offers a unique opportunity for our ESI community to gather and network with each other as well as suppliers and supporters."
As always, the Connexis Energy Trainee Excellence Awards will close out Annual Connection, honouring the ESI's top trainees across a range of categories, including: Distribution Trainee of the Year, Transmission Trainee of the Year, Traction Line Mechanic Trainee of the Year, Advanced Trainee of the Year, Contribution to Investing in Youth Training and Development, and Overall Trainee of the Year. Find out more at www.annualconnection.co.nz
For more Connexis updates visit www.connexis.org.nz