Connexis Energy Trainee Awards - Nominate your trainee today!

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Who are the talented trainees and apprentices in your company? Celebrate them by nominating them for the 2026 Connexis Energy Trainee Awards.

The awards, presented every year by infrastructure industry training provider Connexis, put a spotlight on the next generation of trainees working across the electricity supply industry.

Connexis executive director Kaarin Gaukrodger says the awards play an important role in recognising emerging talent and inspiring the industry's future leaders. They shine a spotlight on trainees who are demonstrating exceptional commitment, skill and potential early in their careers.

"The Energy Trainee Awards are a unique opportunity to celebrate the best of those coming up through the ranks of the ESI and shout about their achievements in front of their peers, employers and industry leaders," Gaukrodger says.

That visibility has a track record of translating into real career momentum.

"Over the years, we've seen dedicated and hard-working trainees, celebrated at these awards, go on to take on leadership roles, and excel in their workplace and on the competition grounds at Annual Connection," she says.

For Gaukrodger, the value of entering goes beyond the individual winner. Training in the electricity supply industry is demanding, often squeezed among full-time work and home life, and recognition is an important source of encouragement.

"It's important to celebrate those who succeed, not only for the recognition they deserve, but because their achievements inspire others who are still on their training journey and show what is possible."

New category for an overlooked skillset

This year's addition of the Utility Arborist Trainee of the Year category reflects a deliberate push to recognise skillsets that keep the network running but rarely get the credit. Utility arborists are trained through a Connexis Level 4 certificate to work safely around power lines while applying specialist arborist skills to keep vegetation clear of critical assets.

"Utility arborists play a vital role in maintenance and protection of the network," says Nicky Gibbs, President of the New Zealand Arboricultural Association. "We're thrilled to have this skilled role included in the annual Energy Trainee Awards line-up and recognise the professionalism and skill it takes to do the job."

What winning actually looks like

Gemma Rose didn't set out to work in high-voltage substations. She entered the industry as an apprentice electrician and, two years ago, joined Empowered Technical Services in Waikato as a junior power technician. After completing her NZ Certificate in Electricity Supply, Power Technician (Level 5) through Connexis, she was named Advanced Trainee of the Year in the 2025 Connexis Energy Trainee Awards.

Gemma, 28, says the recognition reflected something bigger than a single milestone: how much opportunity opened up once she found her niche.

"Once I was there, I saw a lot of opportunities to further my training. The learning never actually stops."

She's now an advocate for others considering a similar path, particularly given how few people realise the breadth of careers available in the industry.

"There is a general shortage of workers in the supply industry, and people just don't know there's this whole flipside to the industry, with lots of other avenues you can go down, like working in the medium-voltage and high-voltage sectors."

Her advice for anyone weighing up whether to put themselves, or a colleague, forward is simple: don't wait to feel ready.

"I just happened to fall into it, and now I'm never leaving!"

Annual Connection comes to Pukekohe

As a celebration of the future of the electricity supply industry, the Connexis Energy Trainee Excellence Awards are the perfect way to wrap up Annual Connection, which will this year be hosted in Pukekohe by Counties Energy.

Annual Connection 2026, managed by Connexis, is the yearly three-day programme of competition events, designed to showcase the skills and expertise of the country's line mechanic crews and cable jointers. As well as being an important yardstick for the industry's technical skills, Gaukrodger says Annual Connection is an important opportunity for the industry to gather and network.

"Annual Connection is considered the annual iconic event that showcases the electricity supply industry and connects teams and individuals from across New Zealand. While the competitions and celebrating excellence is important, the event also offers a unique, yearly opportunity to have conversations about challenges, changes and opportunities within the ESI."

Counties Energy chief executive Judy Nicholl says hosting Annual Connection for the first time is an incredible opportunity to support the industry and showcase the work it does every day, both within local communities and across the country.

"This year feels like a true milestone. Hosting it on our own patch is our way of celebrating the skill and grit our teams bring to work every day, while helping the wider industry become stronger and more resilient together."

Nominate now

Nominations for the Connexis Energy Trainee Awards are open now, ahead of Annual Connection 2026, hosted by Counties Energy at the Pukekohe Showgrounds and PIA Hall from 20 to 22 October. Whether it's yourself, an apprentice or a colleague who deserves recognition, entering is a straightforward way to put a trainee's hard work in front of the people who can help take their career further.

To nominate, visit the awards page of the Annual Connection website.

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If you're interested in finding out more about the training pathways related to the Energy Sector, check out what Connexis offers: