Connexis
Infrastructure Industry Training for New Zealand
WHO WE ARE
Connexis arranges, delivers, supports, and assesses work-based learning for the infrastructure industries of Civil, Energy, Telecommunications, and Water. That means we help up skill the infrastructure workforce. We set programmes, evaluate assessments, and support employers and learners to obtain nationally-recognised micro-credentials and qualifications through apprenticeships and traineeships.
We are passionate about creating a sustainable infrastructure workforce for New Zealand, which responds to the needs of industry, both now and in the future. This includes improving access to training and encouraging diversity to reach underrepresented groups such as women, Māori, and Pasifika.
Connexis is the infrastructure business division of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology. Te Pūkenga was set up to be a Crown entity established to unite Institutes of Technology, Polytechnics (ITPs) and Industry Training Organisations around the country into a unified national network as part of the Government’s Reform of Vocational Education. Te Pūkenga is now being disestablished under the National Government, with final plans to be revealed after the public consultation that closed in September 2024. Expected outcomes are to be revealed by the Government by the end of 2024 that will take effect from January 2026.
Our journey
In 2013, Connexis began as the Infrastructure Industry Training Organisation (IITO). IITO was formed as a merger between the Electricity Supply ITO and the Civil Infrastructure ITO. Telecommunications and the 3 Waters (drinking water, wastewater and stormwater) then joined Connexis to cover the full infrastructure industry.
As the Infrastructure Industry Training Organisation in New Zealand, Connexis was responsible for arranging on-job training, and held the standard setting gazetted coverage for the infrastructure industry.
In 2019, Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE) was announced by the government to bring together on-job, on campus, and online vocational learning through a unified, sustainable network of regionally accessible provision. In 2021, Connexis joined Work-Based Learning as part of RoVE.
Since Connexis joined WBL and divested itself of its standard setting functions, and these now sit with Waihanga Ara Rau Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Council.
Now, Connexis is the infrastructure business division of New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST) (Previously Te Pūkenga). Te Pūkenga was set up to be a Crown entity established to unite Institutes of Technology, Polytechnics (ITPs) and Industry Training Organisations around the country into a unified national network as part of the Government’s Reform of Vocational Education.
NZIST is now being disestablished under the National Government, and a new, independent, and industry-led model for work-based learning is being introduced. As part of this decision, the Government has decided to disestablish the current Workforce Development Councils and establish eight Industry Skills Boards (ISBs), including a dedicated ISB for Energy and Infrastructure. As of 1st January 2026, Connexis will move into this Industry Skills Board. For the most up to date information on the vocational education and training review, visit our VET page.
What we do
We develop training programmes toward Qualifications
Provide access to training that works
Ensure quality and consistent outcomes for learners
Our team helps employers and employees to gain the skills required to do the job, work safely and use industry best practice. We do this through arranging the delivery of industry training and supporting our trainees to complete their programme of learning and achieve their qualifications.
We support employers to map out their company’s skill needs and grow their team through recognised career pathways.
Connexis is approved by the Tertiary Education Commission and New Zealand Qualifications Authority to develop and maintain programmes toward nationally recognised qualifications within the infrastructure industry.
A team of trained and professional assessors and moderators work with us to maintain quality for learners, employers and industry.
Quality and consistency of learner outcomes is monitored and maintained through pre and post moderation.
Consistency of assessment is important to us as it ensures our learners are gaining the required skills, at the appropriate level, to do the job safely and productively.
Products and Services
Our tertiary training is nationally recognised through the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and mostly delivered on-the-job. We have arrangements with training providers for off-job learning, and a Learning Management System (LMS) for online learning, and we can coordinate all of this for you.
We provide a national field team of Customer Service Account Managers (CSAMs) that work with employers to get their team qualified and recognised. This helps companies:
- Improve safety practices onsite;
- Improve productivity;
- Reduce rework;
- Have confidence in skill ability of their crews when tendering for projects;
- Create a happy and healthy workforce.
Our team of CSAMs also provide support to your employees / our learners to ensure their success. Our team helps learners:
- Set clear and reasonable goals to tick off assessments;
- Monitor their progress and keep them on track to complete on time;
- Gain the on-job experience required by liaising with employers/ training managers;
- Find ways around obstacles to progression;
- Stay motivated;
- Celebrate success!
Industry Initiatives
Annual Connection
Annual Connection connects, celebrates, and showcases the people and companies that work in and with the Electricity Supply Industry. Cable Jointers and Line Mechanics from all over the country come together every year for this three-day event to battle it out to be recognised as one of New Zealand's best. Annual Connection culminates in a night of celebration with the Energy and Telecommunication Industry Excellence Awards.
iJobsite
Ninety per cent of infrastructure firms report having difficulty recruiting. iJobsite can help and has been developed by Connexis with infrastructure companies in mind. From entry level vacancies right up to senior management roles, iJobsite is a targeted platform that can connect you with prospective employees. It is free, easy to use, and far-reaching.
Visit ijobsite.co.nz today to list your vacancy.
Ultimit
Ultimit – Women in Infrastructure is a Connexis initiative, supported by industry partners. The purpose is to promote opportunities for a more diverse workforce, with the overall goal of ensuring a continuous supply of skilled trade and technical people with diverse thinking that will help grow the infrastructure industry.
Ultimit encompasses our Girls with Hi-Vis® events, which provide female high school students with the opportunity to visit an infrastructure company through their school, get hands-on experience, and hear from inspirational young women in the industry.
Infrastructure Gateway
Keen to introduce the next generation to the many and varied opportunities offered by infrastructure careers, we work with employers and schools to line up work experience for senior secondary school students. Gateway gives employers the chance to trial future recruits, and students, the opportunity to explore their interest in a trade career and gain credits towards NCEA. Find out more about Gateway and become a Gateway employer.
Assessor Registration
For trainees to gain qualifications, there needs to be a skilled team of assessors who know the industry, understand the work, and can accurately evaluate whether the outcomes of the unit standards have been met. Not only do we recruit, train and register assessors, but we ensure their work is checked for quality through the moderation process. Find out more.
Pricing
You can find our 2025 pricing here
On our 2025 pricing page, you will find a comprehensive list of FAQs and the 2025 pricing schedule. Should you have any questions, there is a form at the foot of the page, specifically for submitting a query. Alternatively, please reach out to your Customer Service Account Manager (CSAM).
Our Teams
Customer service
Managed by our Auckland North, Central and South Island Area Managers, we have a team out on the road supporting employers and learners across the whole of New Zealand. Connexis Customer Service Account Managers (CSAMs) help support the infrastructure workforce to get their skills recognised. CSAMs guide trainees to stay on track as they progress through their assessments and ensure they are getting the support they need from their supervisors, mentors and assessors.
Let us know if you would like a CSAM to visit your workplace to discuss your workforce skills needs. Contact us today.
Key Account Managers
The Account Management team works with our larger, nationwide customers to them help better understand, measure and plan their industry training needs across all facets of their businesses.
Learning Solutions
Our team of product developers specialise in instructional design, desktop publishing and proofing, and work with industry-appointed Subject Matter Experts to develop programmes and resource materials, including trainee assessments and notes.
Quality assurance
This team maintains our internal assessment and moderation framework.
Marketing and Communications
Develops tools, resources and communications to promote infrastructure career pathways, Connexis programmes and our industry leadership initiatives such as Girls with Hi-Vis®. The team works with industry, schools and community to encourage more people to consider Infrastructure careers and understand the industry’s diversity and opportunity
Elearning
One of the aims of the new vocational education system is to provide more flexibility as to modes of learning. As such, we are investing $1.36 million into eLearning to increase accessibility and give learners more choice as to how they learn. Our aim is to have all our resources available online by 2023, ready to leverage the new unified vocational education system by providing greater accessibility and more learning options. Infrastructure Works Level 2 has joined the growing list of our programmes that are available online.
Corporate services
Providing the strong foundation for Connexis to be able to service our industries, this team encompasses our administration, technical support and finance people.
Key Contacts

Kaarin Gaukrodger
Director

Sue Roberts
GM Learning Solutions

Fiona Malloch
National Field Team Manager

Marc Borland
National Key Account Manager

Angela Bailey
Customer Service Area Manager – Waikato/Bay of Plenty

Jason Belcher
Customer Service Area Manager – Central

Vanessa Veart-Smith
Customer Service Area Manager – Northern
