Alana – the woman who’s happiest perched on the top of a power pole at a Line Mechanic

benstevens Energy, Ultimit/Women in Infrastructure

Alana Welsh is happiest perched on the top of a power pole out in the fresh country air taking in the sweeping views across the Christchurch landscape and out to the peninsula. And it’s all in a day’s work for her. A trainee line mechanic with Christchurch’s Independent Lines Services Alana loves the physicality and outdoor setting the job offers. …

Paving Road to Success – Kat Kaiwai

benstevens Civil, Ultimit/Women in Infrastructure

Katareina Kaiwai wants change. And what this determined young Māori woman wants, she tends to get. As one of the few female business owners in Civil Construction in the East Coast region, based in a remote town two hours north of Gisborne, she is a champion of women, her industry, and her region. Where there is, she believes, underinvestment and …

Laisa Pickering - Ultimit ambassador - Electrix

High Voltage Career – Laisa Pickering

Prue Feely Energy, Ultimit/Women in Infrastructure

“Give it a go” is the advice to women considering a future in infrastructure from Connexis Ultimit Ambassador Laisa Pickering. A high-voltage live line mechanic at Electrix, Laisa says many of the barriers that make working in the industry difficult for women are more a perception than a reality. Confidence in your own abilities and skills, and not brute strength, …

Power Play – Angie Du Randt

Prue Feely Energy, Ultimit/Women in Infrastructure

For Genesis Energy Mechanical Engineer Angie Du Randt, working in energy and infrastructure has opened the door to opportunities to live abroad and pursue a passion for mountain biking. As one of our new Connexis Ultimit Ambassadors, Angie shows that work enables play and that your personality defines your career and not the other way around. “Engineer by trade, cyclist …

Energy and Attitude – Danielle Forman

Prue Feely Energy, Ultimit/Women in Infrastructure

Not being constrained by “dude rules” frees you up to be who you want to be and to do your job better, says Connexis Ultimit Ambassador Danielle Forman, a Power Systems Technician at Electrix. Danielle, a new recruit to the Connexis Ultimit Ambassador programme, argues that in some ways it is easier being a female in this male, and often …

Allison Endemann - Emerging Leader award-winner

Alison Endermann – A Passion for Paving

Prue Feely Civil

Outstanding Individual award-winner Allison Endemann says the fields of infrastructure and contracting offer plenty of scope for women.   It is an established fact every field of work has its own fascination – and in the case of Allison Endemann of Higgins Contractors, the thing she is passionate about is asphalt. Yes, asphalt, the surface we all drive and walk …

JB First Civil Trade Certificate Forestry

Walking the Talk – John Broughton

Prue Feely Civil

Connexis trade qualifications are tangible proof that you really do have the skills to do what you do, says New Zealand’s first holder of Forestry Earthworks and Civil Trade Certificates. At the Eastland Wood Council Forestry Awards earlier in the year, a biennial event in Gisborne that celebrates achievement and excellence in the New Zealand forestry industry, John Broughton of …

Connexis graduate in Civil Trades

Jarred Bird – Strive for excellence

Prue Feely Civil

Jarred Bird has recently received a L4 NZC Civil Works Qualification with strands in Road construction, Earthworks and Road Maintenance. As an owner and operator of Napier based Outdoor Solutions this national and formal recognition of his skills and knowledge will give him a great edge to seize future business opportunities and drive business growth. Jared says the qualification and …

Connexis Our People - Water Apprenticeship graduate Will Halligan

Will Halligan – Water, water everywhere

Prue Feely Water

For Taupō-based Will Halligan, a Connexis apprenticeship in wastewater treatment is adding a new dimension to his career. On the face of it, Will Halligan has quite enough to be going on with. As the Acting Maintenance Manager at Wairakei Resort near Taupō he is responsible for all of the resort’s water needs, from the intake of water downstream from …