NEWS & BLOGS

Since joining the Connell team five years ago as foreman, Allan Richards has ticked off an impressive list of qualifications and has developed a broad set of skills across civil contracting.

Before joining Connell, Allan was working throughout New Zealand in a shutdown role in the oil and gas industry.

“I wanted to find something closer to home, with more opportunities to build a career.”

Allan applied for a job at Connell, and never looked back.

Allan says he’s completed ‘quite a few’ BCITO and Connexis courses and qualifications since he started.

“I’ve completed Level 3 infrastructure works, Level 4 site supervision, Level 5 project management, Level 5 contract management, and Level 4 BCITO concrete course. I’ve achieved them faster than the suggested timeframes, which is cool,” says Allan.

Reflecting on the projects he’s helped deliver at Connell, Allan recalls Junction Road Substation as one of the most memorable.

‘It was such a big project, which was exciting to be part of. We constructed the foundations for the new Junction Road 110/11 Kv substation, and supplied and installed the associated equipment.”

Allan says Harapaki Windfarm was another memorable project, in which Connell delivered the civil and building works for two substations at New Zealand’s second largest windfarm.

“We were working in the Maungaharuru Range in Hawke’s Bay. It was an interesting location and project – we even had snow!” says Allan.

Allan is looking forward to starting new projects in 2024. “New sites, new cities – there’s always something happening,” says Allan.

When asked what he enjoys the most about working at Connell, Allan says it’s ‘the atmosphere, culture and interesting work.’

“Everyone has a similar mindset, and I’m working with people a similar age to me. There’s lots of jokes and banter.”

Allan’s advice for anyone looking to start a career in civil is to ‘put your hand up for courses and as much stuff as you can. Just go for it!’