Hands-on, skills-based training at New Zealand’s leading infrastructure work sites has been key to sparking interest in infrastructure trade and technical careers among young women.
More than 500 secondary school students from around the country have attended almost 30 Connexis Girls with Hi-Vis® (GWHV) events hosted by key industry employers who have given female students the opportunity to try their hand at on-the-job trade skills and gain a practical understanding of what work-based training and apprenticeships can offer them as a career pathway.
Connexis is the leading work-based training provider for infrastructure industries such as civil, energy, telecommunications and water. Connexis established GWHV ten years ago in response to a request by infrastructure employers to help them attract more young women to careers in the infrastructure trades and help them grow a diverse workforce.
Connexis executive director Kaarin Gaukrodger says the real world experiences the secondary school students gain at GWHV events gives them an understanding of what working in these trades will be like, but also the advantages of work-based apprenticeship training toward gaining a tertiary qualification and a career.
“The students come to Girls with Hi-Vis® events from school where most of their learning is classroom based. Being exposed to real working environments, often at some of the country’s major infrastructure assets like power stations and roading projects, opens them up to a whole new practical way of learning.
“One of the most common feedback comments we get from those who attend Girls with Hi-Vis®, and those who go on into Gateway programmes from school, is that they appreciate the opportunity to learn by doing,” Gaukrodger says. “A classroom environment doesn’t suit everyone, so being given the opportunity to learn on the job often really fires up the students’ enthusiasm for trades and work-based apprenticeship training.”
This year’s GWHV saw students from 91 schools don their hi-vis to visit hydro and geothermal power stations, and highway and public walkway construction projects, as well as learn skills like cable jointing, traffic management, working at height, and operating heavy machinery.
One former student who has experienced the benefits of GWHV first-hand is Natalee Hughes. Natalee attended a Connexis GWHV event at Horizon Networks in Whakatane in 2022 while still a student at Trident High School. It opened Hughes’ eyes to a new world of career possibilities.
After attending GWHV Hughes enrolled in a Gateway programme to start training as a line mechanic with Horizon, while finishing high school, and joined the company as a full-time apprentice line mechanic soon after. She is now nearing the end of her apprenticeship with Horizon and took her place at the company’s 2025 GWHV event to share her experiences with students from her old high school.
“I really enjoyed the day when I visited through Girls with Hi-Vis®. As a student I really enjoyed being a bucket operator and controlling a crane, but the best thing was pole top rescue and I really enjoyed the hands-on nature of the work.
“GWHV is important because it gives girls a chance to try things you wouldn’t usually expect girls to do,” she says. “If you’re thinking about a trade, just go for it. Don’t let the opportunity pass you by.”
Gaukrodger says the career opportunities offered by industries, such as infrastructure, which have traditionally been male dominated, are still not well-promoted to women – and are often under-sold to all students. “Too often trade careers are still regarded as a ‘last resort’ for school students who might be struggling academically. By connecting students directly with local employers through events like Girls with Hi-Vis® and Gateway, Connexis can show them that there are great opportunities to be found.
“While you may start as an apprentice, that gives you a foundation on which you can build a life-long career – taking on greater responsibilities, continuously adding to your skills and knowledge and moving into leadership or more specialised technical roles,” she says. “Plus, you are supported through that whole journey, through Connexis pastoral support and training guidance to keep your training on track.”
Mt Albert Grammar, Auckland, teacher Karen Caso, who attended a GWHV event hosted by Omexom in Auckland says: “It was great for the students to have hands-on experience of a variety of activities that gives them an idea of what these jobs involve. They were able to interact with staff and give different things a go. It was a really informative day for them.”
