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Raising personal and operational performance standards in the quarry sector is now said to be simpler than ever following investment by the IQ in its innovative new ‘Skills Wheel’, which was due to be unveiled at
The Skills Wheel is designed to help individuals and operators make informed decisions about investing in relevant industryspecific and vocational skills development. The ambition is to deliver better skilled employees working in the minerals, quarrying and extractives industries, as well as encouraging operators to achieve sector recognition for the highest operational standards.
Phil James, Chief Executive of IQ says: “We recognise that people working in today’s modern site operations need a range of expertise in order to be effective beyond the basics of the job itself. We also know that those businesses that continually develop their staff have a more motivated and valued workforce that will deliver better operational performance.
“As the international professional body for quarrying, construction materials and related extractive and processing industries, we want to make identifying opportunities for potential skills and professional development as straightforward as possible. We’ve identified four broad development headings for our customers, which should help signpost them to relevant courses and programmes.” The four ‘spokes’ of the Skills Wheel are:
• Knowledge & Innovation
• Standards & Professionalism
• Engagement, Influence & Impact
• Personal Effectiveness
Knowledge & Innovation
Knowledge and innovation drives the quarrying and mineral extractive industries to assist the continual improvement, productivity, efficiency and health and safety to benefit all staff, as well as company performance. This area of the IQ Skills Wheel focuses on all areas of site operational issues, as well as general management advice.
Standards & Professionalism
Standards and professionalism are a key part of the IQ Skills Wheel as it addresses the key regulations and standards that affect the quarrying and mineral extractives industries. Everyone working within the industry should be aware of the legislation and key documents that underpin best practices adopted in the workplace.
Engagement, Influence & Impact
Being more aware of how to interact as a team member in a wider context helps you to become a more rounded professional. The engagement, influence and impact area of the IQ Skills Wheel considers how quarrying and mineral extractives professionals work within teams and the wider community and networks
Personal Effectiveness
Successful professionals within the quarrying and mineral extractives industries are aware of their own personal attributes and how to develop their skills in different areas. Learning how to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and being able to use them in the most effective way is an important part of growing personally and professionally.
James continues: “The IQ Skills Wheel reflects the core skills and areas of knowledge that all members of IQ should aim to develop as part of their commitment to lifelong learning. But it’s not just our members who should invest in CPD.
Businesses and individuals working in this sector should see continuous professional development not as a ‘nice to have’ but as an essential investment for future success.”
Recognised CPD activity ranges from on the job learning to reading relevant articles, to attending accredited webinars and formal training courses. IQ provides these activities as part of its services to members and the wider industry.
IQ training programmes are provided through the IQ Academy. The Academy offers a range of learning on topics such as geology and geotechnics, operations and processes, blasting, the environment, health and safety and management systems.
In addition, IQ also provides a needs analysis service to help businesses looking for support to develop a training programme for staff based around the IQ Skills Wheel. This can lead to tailored programmes to best suit specific business needs in areas including:
• managing safety in quarries
• managing health in quarries
• environmental management in quarries
• continuous improvement
• behavioural safety
IQ Academy also has formal education programmes that lead to higher education qualifications. These programmes are delivered and accredited by the University of Derby and range from higher apprenticeships to degree level.
Ben Strickland is an assistant quarry manager at Shap Quarry near Penrith, north-west England for
“Initially I started working at Pateley Bridge in North Yorkshire as a trainee supervisor in the operations and processing side of the business. After about 18 months I had the opportunity to do a secondment for six months at Penmaenmawr in North Wales.
“Other short-term placements have broadened my experience and knowledge of quarrying, particularly in the fundamentals of static and mobile processing. My apprenticeship finished in 2014 and I have now progressed to assistant quarry manager at Shap Quarry.
“The inwork and out of work training I’ve undertaken has been invaluable. I’ve become really interested in the commercial aspect of the business, in particular the positive effect that a process of continuous improvement has on the operations. And most importantly, what I’ve learnt has been directly relevant to my job.
“I now have a Foundation Degree in Mineral Extraction and have started the full Honours Degree, which will take two years to complete. I’ve also got additional qualifications in safety, health and environment (SHE qualifications at levels 4 & 6) as well as shotfiring.
“What I have found is that this is an industry where you work closely with your colleagues, supporting each other and providing ongoing feedback. You get a real buzz from seeing the difference you can make to the business. Your ideas are listened to, acted upon and you get to see the important contribution you can make.”
• For further information about courses and programmes available from Institute of Quarrying website
