Links between the Institute of Quarrying in the UK and the quarrying industry in the USA are continuing to grow stronger following the latest meeting between them which saw agreement reached on new training and development courses launching in October 2016.
A senior delegation from the Institute of Quarrying, led by Chief Executive (CEO) Phil James, flew out to the US to meet industry leaders at the NSSGA annual convention in Nashville.
Hot topics on discussion included education; shared information and expertise; and the development of a comprehensive training and career development programme in the US for quarrying and aggregates.
The latest in a series of meetings over the past two years, the relationship has borne fruit with the launch of two pilot schemes in the US, which were developed by the IQ in the UK. A junior management programme aims to improve the technical skills of potential high-achievers needing greater academic qualifications to progress while a graduate conversion programme aims to attract degree-level recruits into the industry who currently lack the industry-specific qualifications needed.
Dozens of candidates have signed up for pilot schemes and applications for new intakes are open now for an October start. As the international professional body for quarrying, construction materials and the related extractive and processing industries, the IQ is keen to push its message that improved skills development is a key tool in attracting and retaining recruits to the industry.
CEO at the IQ, Phil James said: “There is a lot of expertise in training and development that has been developed by the IQ in the UK and other countries around the world are very interested. As well as the USA, we’re in discussion with the quarrying industry in South Africa, Australia and the Middle East, which I think is a real tribute to the high regard in which the UK industry is held.”
With over 6,000 members in some 50 countries, the Institute of Quarrying’s long-term objective is to support improvements in all aspects of operational performance through better education and training.