On Monday 29 June, some of our students attended Girls with Hi-Vis, a Connexis-run event hosted at a Pipeline and Civil & Watercare worksite. The event aimed to introduce young women to career pathways in New Zealand’s infrastructure industry and encourage more females into trades and technical fields.

With women making up only around 18% of the infrastructure workforce, the event highlighted the ongoing skills gap in areas such as roading, water systems, power networks, and telecommunications. For over 10 years, Girls with Hi-Vis has provided hands-on experiences and insight into careers in Water, Energy, Civil, and Telecommunications.

During the day, students explored civil drainage work, learned about infrastructure processes, and gained an understanding of traffic management and site safety. A major highlight was the opportunity to operate a small excavator under supervision! 

Overall, the girls found the experience both enjoyable and eye-opening, appreciating the chance to try something new and consider future career pathways they may not have thought about before.

Events like Girls with Hi-Vis continue to show students the wide range of opportunities available in the industry through real-world experience. We look forward to seeing where these experiences take them next.

If you’re interested in joining an Academy or Gateway next year, come and see the Vocational Pathways team in Room C5 to find out more about the opportunities available.