Connexis adds Telecommunications to industry coverage
20 April 2016: Connexis will now oversee standards and qualifications for the Telecommunications Industry after working in close
partnership with The Skills Organisation to make this transition.
The Hon Louise Upston, Associate Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, has formally confirmed that
Connexis is now the Industry Training Organisation responsible for the Telecommunications Industry, along with Civil
Construction, Electricity Supply and the 3 Waters (Reticulation, Waste and Storm) Industries.
The change means that Connexis has statutory responsibility for developing and quality managing the work practice
standards and qualifications relevant to the Telecommunications workforce.
Connexis has worked closely with The Skills Organisation over the last five years, supporting trainees and their
development, and now looks forward to working more closely with Telecommunications asset-owners as well as overseeing
the quality management of qualifications and programmes for the industry.
Connexis was created following the 2013 merger of the Civil Construction Industry Training Organisation (InfraTrain),
and the Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation (ESITO), with the vision of being ‘the ITO of choice for New
Zealand’s Infrastructure Industries.’
Industry coverage was initially for Civil Construction and Electricity Supply, with the addition of the 3 Waters
industries in March 2015.
Connexis Chief Executive Helmut Modlik expressed his thanks to everyone involved in bringing the change of coverage to
fruition, particularly The Skills Organisation. He said, “Telco represents a significant addition to the Connexis
portfolio area of responsibility and creates increased scope for supporting the companies and workers responsible for
building and maintaining New Zealand’s infrastructure. We look forward to serving members across all of our industry
sectors as we continue towards our vision of being the ITO of choice for New Zealand’s Infrastructure Industries.”
Garry Fissenden, Chief Executive of The Skills Organisation, and Helmut Modlik both remain committed to training in
their respective industries. The successful transition of the Telecommunications Industry reflects the ITO sector's
emphasis on working together to deliver the best outcomes for New Zealand's workforce.
ENDS