Connecting New Zealand

Civil Trades
News

Hello and welcome to Civil Trades News. In this news section we profile recently certified Civil Tradesperson(s), and explore views on the value you receive from Civil Trades certification and provide an update on Civil Trades in New Zealand.

Article of the month

Infrastructure veteran first to benefit from expanded Civil Trades eligibility

Infrastructure veteran first to benefit from expanded Civil Trades eligibility

Rob Skurr has spent 26 years building hard-won skills across the water maintenance, pipe-welding and drainage sectors of New Zealand’s infrastructure industry, as well as supervising teams as a foreman. In the past gaining certification for his experience wasn't possible, but a recent expansion of Civil Trades eligibility criteria has changed that.

Civil Matters: Civil Trades newsletter | Winter 2026

Civil Matters - read the official Civil Trades e-newsletter for Winter 2026.

The forward-thinking companies embracing Civil Trades

Some people associate Civil Trades certification with big national players and trans-Tasman contractors, but a growing number of smaller and mid-sized companies are quietly building it into their workforce development – and reaping real rewards for doing so.

Civil Trades expands eligibility of qualifications to deserving applicants

The range of prerequisite qualifications necessary to apply for Civil Trades certification has been broadened, giving experienced civil contractors who hold legacy qualifications the opportunity to gain the industry’s gold-standard mark of excellence.

Trial of new assessment process set to streamline pathway to Civil Trades

The route to Civil Trades certification is about to become more user-friendly, thanks to a decision by Connexis to trial a new assessment process for people with considerable past experience in civil infrastructure construction.

Number 1: The first person to become Civil Trades certified still leads by example

It’s been a decade since Matt Paget become the first person in New Zealand to gain Civil Trades certification. Yet the Tauranga man still treasures his original certification card – number 0001 – as validation of his experience and years of hard work in civil infrastructure.

More upgrades for Civil Trades website

Our website has been enhanced once again, with more videos telling the stories of certified civil tradespeople and a new employer portal that makes it easy for companies to manage Civil Trades applications on behalf of their staff members.

Meet the faces of the new Civil Trades website

Behind every roading, water and civil construction project are the skilled and determined people building New Zealand's future. Our new-look website celebrates these stories, featuring two inspiring professionals and an employer who showcase the power of Civil Trades certification and investing in people.

Civil Trades hits 1,000: Wesley’s Siō’s story

Wesley Siō, director of water services business Reticulate Water, became the 1,000th certification under the Civil Trades scheme when he recertified recently.

Training Booster

In partnership with Civil Trades, Connexis is putting the spotlight back on infrastructure training and backing it with action.

Civil Trades certification caps off career progression for water specialist

After a rocky road into the infrastructure industry, persistence and dedication have taken Fulton Hogan Leading Hand Chloe Edwards to the top of her game, with her recent Civil Trades certification marking a significant milestone in an award-winning career journey.

How Civil Trades is helping to drive success at Downer and Mills Albert

The Civil Trades certification scheme, developed by industry for industry, is transforming the civil infrastructure sector by providing a nationally recognised programme to accredit employees’ practical experience – with industry leaders singing its praises.

Civil Matters: the Civil Trades newsletter | Summer 2024

The Summer 2024 edition of Civil Matters - the official e-newsletter from Civil Trades!

Certification the icing on the cake for forestry earthmover Dan Lane

It only takes a quick chat with Civil Trades certified machine operator Dan Lane to realise he’s a man who loves his work. “I’m third generation tied up in machinery,” he says proudly.

Civil Matters: the Civil Trades newsletter | Spring 2024

Read the Spring edition of Civil Matters - featuring great comments and stories, and even chances to win!

Civil Trades provides recognition unlike any other, says HEB’s David Hall

David Hall is a man wholeheartedly dedicated to training. Not only has he worked in the civil industry for 35 years and training and assessment for more than 10 years, but he’s gained a raft of trade qualifications and has recently been recertified to ensure his Civil Trades certification remains up to date.

Civil Matters newsletter | Winter edition

Civil Matters - Civil Trades e-newsletter | Winter edition

Civil Trades certification provides passport to career development for Wellington water-services specialist

Glowing employer references, expert understanding of water infrastructure and thousands of proven hours working on water pipes around Wellington has helped Fulton Hogan’s Kini Pepe to gain Civil Trades certification and the confidence to take the next step in his career.

Civil Trades March 2024 - Civil Matters

The Civil Trades March 2024 e-newsletter is now online! Now named 'Civil Matters', this is the second edition of the Civil Trades e-newsletter.

Beach to boardroom: meet the people behind Civil Trades

The careers of Mike Wilson and Phil Bull are testament to the difference a commitment to training and development can make, having worked in more than 10 countries and across most facets of the industry. Now they are giving back to the civil construction industry through the national Civil Trades certification programme, alongside a dedicated team.