Upskill with Connexis and saveSponsored
Working in an infrastructure sector such as the electricity supply industry offers the opportunity to work on the projects and assets vital to keep New Zealand connected and growing.
To put the spotlight on the importance of infrastructure training and to support businesses to further develop the skills of their teams, training provider Connexis has launched its Training Booster initiative.
The Training Booster offers reduced learner fees for enrolments in targeted infrastructure training programmes until 31 October.
Connexis provides industry apprenticeships and ongoing training in infrastructure such as the electricity supply industry (ESI), as well as civil construction, telecommunications and water.
All of these qualifications help New Zealand businesses strengthen their workforce capability and depth of skill, through high-quality, fit-for-purpose industry training.
Connexis executive director Kaarin Gaukrodger says with the next phase of the government's VET review announced, Connexis is proud to be refocusing its energy and investment on infrastructure industries such as the ESI.
"After four-and-a-half years of contributing to the development of a national Institute of Skills and Technology, we are pleased to be committed to training New Zealand's infrastructure workforce.
"The Training Booster initiative is a key part of that commitment, and is designed to make it easier for employers to invest in the future of their staff," Gaukrodger says.
Energy programmes covered by the Training Booster include:
● NZA - NZC in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic Distribution) (L4)
● NZA - NZC in Electrical Trade (L4) - Electricity Supply strand
● NZA - NZC in Electricity Supply (Traction Line) (L4)
● NZC in Electricity Supply (Fault Response and Switching) (L4) - all strands
● NZA - NZC in Electricity Supply (Cable Jointing High Voltage) (L4)
● NZC in Electricity Supply (Power Technician) (L5)
Building for the future
Gaukrodger says Connexis apprenticeships and qualifications emphasise the importance of work-based training, where trainees learn via practical experience on the job, under the supervision of experienced and qualified staff.
That practical experience and learning is backed up by additional written coursework, block courses and assessments. They combine to ensure Connexis trainees are highly knowledgeable and qualified with skills that meet the needs of employers and their customers.
"We know employers want training that has a strong practical focus, that allows apprentices to learn on the job from the experienced and skilled teams around them.
"That's backed up by short block courses that allow trainees to learn from and connect with others, and by support from skilled Connexis Customer Service Account Managers who help each trainee navigate their qualifications while keeping employers informed on progress.
"It's an effective structure that keeps trainees focused and gives them the best chance of success, for themselves and their employers," Gaukrodger says.
Connexis training services, programmes and assessment support are available at all levels from school Gateway programmes, which give year 11, 12 and 13 students the opportunity to start working with local employers while still at school, through NZ Certificates in all aspects of electrical supply. Programmes are available from Level 2 through to Level 6.
Gaukrodger says Connexis also works hard to help the Electricity Supply Industry address skills shortages by raising the profile of infrastructure trades as exciting, secure career pathways with opportunities to work on key New Zealand infrastructure projects, as well as those vital to their local communities.
Initiatives such as Girls with Hi-Vis® (GWHV) and the Annual Connection help make more people aware of the career opportunities in infrastructure industries while showcasing the important work undertaken by a highly skilled workforce that often goes unseen.
2025 marked the tenth anniversary of GWHV, an initiative set up to encourage more young women into infrastructure trades such as the ESI, by inviting female secondary school onsite at some of the country's key infrastructure assets, sites, and projects for hands-on experience of the job skills required.
Gaukrodger says GHWV offers a unique opportunity for "real world" experience for young women who may not have considered the opportunities available to them by training for roles such as line mechanics or cable jointers.
"New Zealand's young women are a largely untapped cohort of the population that can help address skills shortages in infrastructure sectors like the ESI."
The most obvious marker of the success of Girls with Hi Vis® is that it now involves women who've previously attended GWHV events, coordinating and participating in events for their employers, as professional tradies, Gaukrodger says.
"For more evidence of GWHV's success we just need to look at the fact it has grown from three companies in the ESI hosting events in 2015, and attracting about 50 students, to its peak of 31 events attracting interest from 750 students from 79 schools around the country."
A key part of the success of GWHV, Gaukrodger says, is ensuring every employer hosting GWHV events has actual opportunities available for students wanting to enrol in Gateway programmes, cadetships or apprenticeships.
"That helps build tangible results and the message that GWHV isn't just about presenting general career possibilities. Students see there are actual job leads or training opportunities to follow up on with the support of their careers advisors, after they've attended GWHV.
"From Connexis' point of view the practical nature of GWHV events is also important to showcase the value of learning on the job when training as an apprentice.
"It demonstrates to students that apprenticeship training isn't about endless classroom study; it allows them to build the foundations of a varied, interesting career by learning on the job surrounded by others with skills and experience."
Save the date
Another key initiative Connexis supports is Annual Connection, the yearly gathering of the country's top Line Mechanic crews and Cable Jointers.
This year's event will be held over 21-23 October, at Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch in conjunction with hosts Orion Group, Connetics and EA Networks. Visit www.annualconnections.co.nz for details.
Find out more about Connexis' infrastructure trade qualifications and programmes covered by Training Booster 2025 at www.connexis.org.nz.