14 | Connetics: Waterloo Business Park REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Focus on training gets results Connetics CEO John Thompson and Rob van Groen Test/Protection Technician who won Overall Trainee of the Year and Advanced Trainee of the Year award last week at the Connexis Excellence Awards. “Your Canterbury-owned Construction Partner” www.higgsconstruction.co.nz . i i . . Proud to partner with Connetics with their infrastructure projects Connectics’ focus on training was recently evident at the 2022 Connexis Excellence Awards where Connetics employee Rob van Groen took out the Advanced Trainee of the Year and Overall Trainee of the Year titles. Connetics General Manager of Canterbury Operations Graham Fairbrass says Rob is described as highly efficient with a diverse skillset, a passion for learning and the ability to assist where able on almost any job. Rob completed his four-year apprenticeship programme in just 2.5 years and found his way to becoming an Electrical Supply Industry trainee after leaving school and switching jobs several times. What he loves most about his work is the constant change in the types of work and the learning of new equipment. “Considering competition was intense, the fact that we had three finalists from Connetics and that Rob was recognised as one of the industry’s upcoming stars was a real proud moment,” says Graham. Connetics employees John Harvey and Joe Natoli also took home awards for a series of cable jointing competitions and a team of Connetics line mechanics also competed over the three-day competition. The competition involved line mechanic crews and cable jointers from around the country pitting their skills against each other and in the process displaying the latest industry best practices and technological innovations. It’s not the first time that Connetics employees have won titles at the awards and Graham says Trenchless Services is an underground boring company that specialises in thrustboring. We also have truck and digger for hire. Getting you where you want to go underground. No job too big or small. • PVC Ducts • Water Pipes • Communication Ducts • Power Cables • Under Paths & Driveways • Undergroud Boring to 75mm O.D & 45mm O.D Steve Petersen Ph (027) 276-1070 | A/H (03) 323-6900 | trenchlessservices@xtra.co.nz TRENCHLESS BR MILLAR CONSTRUCTION Phone: 021 222 1552 Proud to be associated with Connetics for 20 years Karen Phelps PROUD TO SUPPORT CONNETICS WITH THEIR EXCAVATION NEEDS! PHONE WARREN 027 431 8709 10 WHEELED/TRACKED EXCAVATORS 2 HYDROVAX UNITS this demonstrates Connetics’ dedication to the training process and providing people with on-going opportunities to up skill and the ethos that it is important for people to never stop learning. “It also reflects the high quality and standard of our overall team and their dedication to doing a great job for our clients,” he says. “We don’t believe in a one size fits all approach. We understand that a linear career pathway doesn’t suit everyone and that we need to provide a variety of learning opportunities to enable people to grow. Connetics holds positive relationships with education providers, industry partners, our shareholder Orion and our CCHL Group partners. “We are constantly working together to create opportunities for our people.” Connetics is currently recruiting for its next apprenticeship training intake in 2023. Graham says Connetics has people in house to mentor and support trainees throughout their apprenticeship. “We are very focused on bringing in the next generation and showing them the fantastic opportunities available.” It’s part of Connetics’ vision to lead the way in creating a new possible future for the industry. Graham says a key outcome includes that people are better off for being a part of Connetics and that this in turn helps transform the way the industry develops capability. “The future of the energy sector is bright and full of opportunities; you don’t have to spend time or money studying full time to land yourself a career in a well-paid and respected industry.”
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