Annual Connection Award Winners - Line Mechanic Compeition

Annual Connection Excellence Awards 2019

Prue Feely Civil, Energy, News

The Annual Connection Excellence Awards celebrate the best and brightest trainees working in the Electricity Supply and Telecommunications industries. They also recognise those who have made a significant contribution to the industry through their enthusiasm and commitment to industry training.

Over the three days of competitions at Annual Connection competitors showcased the very best practices for completing jobs safely and efficiently. The competition was extremely tough in the arena this year.

Winners

Cable Jointer Competition

First Place – Paul Barclay, PowerNet Ltd, Invercargill

Second Place – Michael Pascall, PBA Ltd, Christchurch

Third Place – James Ardagh, MainPower New Zealand Ltd, Rangiora

Award presented by : Mark Shed from TransNet


Line Mechanic Competition

First Place – Unison Contracting Services, Hawke’s Bay
(See image above: Left to right Serah Russell (Reserve Trainee), Josh Wairama, Jimmy Marinus (Foreman) John Andersen, Te Cohney Whitehouse (Trainee) and James Aranui (Team Manager).

Second Place – WEL Networks, Waikato

Third Place – Unison Contracting Services, Rotorua


Overall Trainee of the Year

and

Advanced Trainee of the Year

Bernard Muzengeza, WEL Networks, Waikato

Overall Trainee of the Year Award Sponsor Connetics | Presented by Daniel Woollaston, Connetics’ Wellington Manager (Photographed above)

Advanced Trainee of the Year Award Sponsor PowerNet | Award presented by Michelle Henderson Chief Operating Officer for Powernet.


Investing in Youth Training & Development

John Goodenough, Connetics, Christchurch

Award Sponsor Electrix Presented by Robert Ferris, Managing Director.


Transmission Trainee of the Year

Paul O’Loughlin, Broadspectrum, Christchurch

Award sponsor Transpower |Presented by Phil Ranby, National Delivery Manager


Telecommunications Trainee of the Year

Perenara O’Connell, Downer, Gisborne

Award sponsor Connexis | Presented by Marc Borland, National Key Account Manager


Distribution Trainee of the Year

Emily Flynn, Unison Hastings

Award Sponsor Alpine Energy | Presented by Kaarin Gaukrodger, Group Manager Customer Engagement from Connexis on behalf of Alpine Energy


Generation Trainee of the Year

Mason Griffiths, Meridian Energy, Manapouri, Twizel

Award Sponsor:  Electricity Engineers Association | Presented by Peter Berry, Executive Director of the EEA


Ross Archer Memorial Line Mechanic Safety Award

Ryan Allen, Wel Networks, Hamilton

Award Sponsor Wel Networks


Outstanding leader in 2019 Line Mechanic competitions

Johnny Wilson, Mainpower Ltd

Award presented by Rick Johnson, Chief Competition Judge, on behalf of the Competitions Committee


Dougie Award
Unison Contracting Service Ltd – Rotorua

The Dougie Award is decided by the judges based on the team who are the best presented and spirited with good attitude throughout the competition.


Colin Bear Award
Unison Contracting Service Ltd – Hawke’s Bay

The Colin Bear award is award to the winning team of the dismantle event.


Line Mechanic Competition Events

Pole Install – Unison Contracting Services Ltd

Electrical Theory – WEL Networks, Waikato

Build – MainPower New Zealand Ltd, Rangiora

First Aid – Independent Line Services, Christchurch

Old School – Unison Contracting Service Ltd, Rotorua

Mobile EWP Rescue – Independent Line Services, Christchurch

Hardware Install – The Lines Company, Te Kuiti

Pole Top Rescue – Unison Contracting Service Ltd, Rotorua

Crane Event – Unison Contracting Service Ltd, Hawke’s Bay

Earthbank Install – Waipa Networks, Waikato

Equipotential Zone – Unison Contracting Service Ltd, Hawke’s Bay

Electrical Testing – Unison Contracting Service Ltd, Rotorua

LV Distribution Install – MainPower New Zealand Limited, Rangiora

Dismantle – Unison Contracting Service Ltd, Hawke’s Bay


Cable Jointer Competition Events

Electrical Theory – Pablo Lagos, Connetics, Christchurch

HV Indoor Termination – Kevin Piere, Unison Contracting Services Ltd

HV Outdoor Termination – Paul Barclay, PowerNet Ltd, Invercargill

Spiking Gun – Paul Barclay, PowerNet Ltd, Invercargill

Pit Rescue – Paul Barclay, PowerNet Ltd, Invercargill

First Aid – Bradley McKnight, Independent Line Services, Christchurch

Live LV Jointing – James Ardagh, MainPower New Zealand Ltd, Rangiora

HV Jointing Event – Paul Barclay, PowerNet Ltd, Invercargill