Competenz

We work alongside businesses to develop skilled teams and support apprentices every step of the way.

Want to explore apprenticeships for your business?

Click below to find out more.


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A big congratulations to Kylie Nelio from RCR Infrastructure, the winner of the $1,000 ToolShed voucher from EMEX 2026! 👏

Training Advisor Jonathan Newsome and Account Manager Debs Wand stopped by to present the voucher last week, with the conversation extending beyond the prize to apprenticeships, leadership development and health and safety support.

Thanks to The ToolShed for helping make this giveaway possible, and congratulations again to Kylie.

Learning is easier when you’re not doing it alone.

Our study groups bring apprentices together with subject matter experts and literacy specialists to help them work through assessments, ask questions, and build confidence.

More than 1,000 learners are already participating in study groups across multiple sectors — helping apprentices stay motivated and progress through their qualifications.

It’s one of the many ways Competenz supports learners and employers to succeed together.

Explore Learner Support:

https://bit.ly/4ro6OY7?utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=sked_69ae2b50be6855f15d136f51

Hyland Foulagi-Koroi had no idea marine engineering was even a career option. Now he's a Fabrication apprentice at Titan Marine Engineering, being interviewed on 1News. 👏

His story is exactly why Budget 2026 matters.

The Government has committed $69 million to nearly double Trades Academy places to 20,000 by 2030, and $15 million for new industry-led secondary school subjects. That's a real investment in making sure more young people find their way into careers they didn't know existed.

Compentenz GM Learning, Design and Innovation, Pip Walsh joined 1News alongside Technical Quality Manager Danny Newland and Apprentice, Hyland - to talk about what this means. Danny puts it plainly: 99% of all goods arriving in New Zealand come by sea. Ships need maintaining, systems keep advancing, and the people to do that work need to be coming through now. Titan currently supports 21 apprentices. That's not a token gesture — that's a business betting on the next generation.

As Pip said: "When young people can clearly see the connection between what they learn at school and where it can take them, it opens doors."

For too long, too many students have left school without knowing trades like marine engineering exist as a pathway. This Budget is a step toward closing that gap.

If you're an employer thinking about apprenticeships, or a young person wondering what's out there, we'd love to help. Visit competenz.org.nz or talk to your Competenz Training Advisor today.

See full article below.


https://www.competenz.org.nz/news/stronger-pathways-stronger-workforce---what-budget-2026-means-for-industry-and-learners?utm_source=Competenz+all+staff&utm_campaign=9836f7d867-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_06_08_11_26&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-9836f7d867-1411698551

New Zealand's largest graphics, sign and display event is almost here — and you'll find us at Stand 49! ✍️

Stop by and talk to the Competenz team about practical, on-the-job training for the sign and print industry.

🎁 Plus, scan your visitor badge at our stand for a chance to win a $200 Prezzy Card!
📍 Auckland Showgrounds
📅 Tuesday 17 – Thursday 19 June

Register here:

https://tickets.lup.co.nz/NZ-Sign-and-Print-Expo-2026?cat=cat-registration&utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=sked_6a21faf228ba501a192c63b6

Entries for the 2026 Wallie Askew Memorial Workskills Competition are now open! 🙌

This is a fantastic opportunity for apprentices to showcase the skills they've been developing on the job, gain recognition for their hard work, and grow their confidence in a supportive and professional setting.

Regional challenges:
📌Auckland: Saturday 1 August
📌Palmerston North: Saturday 8 August
📌Christchurch: Saturday 15 August

📌Finals: Friday 2 - Saturday 3 October, Palmerston North.

For more information, check out the IRHACE website.
To apply click the link below.

https://form.jotform.com/240667272956871?utm_source=Testing+group&utm_campaign=1898074a27-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_06_04_10_39&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a7d35cd2b1-1898074a27-

Next week, we'll be at WoodTECH 2026!
If you're heading along, pop by Stand 29 to chat with the Competenz team about nationally recognised, on-the-job wood manufacturing training — and ask us about the chance to win a $150 The ToolShed prize! 🎉

📍 Distinction Hotel, Rotorua
📅 Thursday 18 – Friday 19 June

Not registered yet? Register here:

https://innovatek.co.nz/event/woodtech-2026/?utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=sked_6a21fa0328ba501a192c61a0

Last week, we were part of EMEX, New Zealand's premier expo for engineering, manufacturing and technology.🛠️

Our team had an amazing three days creating meaningful connections and sharing the opportunities available through work-based learning. 🙌

Thank you to The ToolShed for providing us with goodies for our prize draw and Chemz Ltd for supplying products for our claw machine giveaways. Both were a hit with attendees and helped bring plenty of people to the stand, creating lots of opportunities for valuable conversations. For those of you who entered our $1000 The ToolShed prize draw, we'll be announcing the winner soon 👀

Thank you to everyone who visited our stand and EMEX for putting on such a great event!🥳

We acknowledge the passing of Hank Murney, founder of RX Plastics, on 25 May 2026.

Hank started RX Plastics with his wife Kate in a small Ashburton shed in 1975, making simple plastic products. Over the following decades, he built it into one of New Zealand's significant rural water management manufacturers — covering pipes, tanks, irrigation systems and drainage products.

His legacy is the role RX Plastics played in shaping rural water infrastructure across New Zealand, and the manufacturing operation he grew from the ground up through hard work and a deep commitment to the industry.

Our condolences to Kate and their family.