Leadership. There are many discussions and activities across the quarrying and mineral extractives sectors around the term, but what does it actually mean? And how is it best to deliver it within an organisation? There is no single right answer for showing leadership but a constant theme in all cases is the need for those in leadership positions to lead by example.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is one of those things in business that often forms part of a wider conversation. It is raised at annual reviews, explored as a means of enabling promotion or introduced as an incentive to keep staff onside. The reality is CPD is so much more; it is embedded in everyday working life, an invisible force that drives us onto bigger and better things in our careers.
Just over a year into his tenure, the Institute of Quarrying’s (IQ) chief executive officer is using the industry’s premiere biannual showcasing event, Hillhead 2018, as a platform from which to share his vision for IQ and what it should be delivering for its members and the wider industry.
In today’s fast moving digital age of social networks, email, video conferencing and mobile phones, it’s often easier to Tweet, message or Skype than it is to make time for face-to-face meetings or attend events. But feedback from members of the Institute of Quarrying (IQ) point out the important role that IQ’s branch meetings play in connecting people working in the mineral extractives and quarrying sector.
The importance of continuing professional development (CPD) for employees in the mineral extractive sector should not be underestimated – it is a career-long obligation for practicing professionals and ensures continued professional competence and ‘fitness for purpose’.
James Thorne, newly in post as chief executive at the Institute of Quarrying (IQ) is clear about the importance of the Skills Wheel and why IQ is championing the benefits of continuous professional development to its members. He is equally clear about the importance of up-to-date knowledge and the application of innovation within the mineral extractives sector.
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Raising professional performance standards of the workforce in the quarrying, construction materials and related extractive and processing industries is key to the success of this essential part of the UK and global economy. But it’s long-term prosperity is also about presenting the sector as an attractive career opportunity to the next generation of quarrying professionals.
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A Case Study on Glendinning Quarry and Concrete Products.
The UK quarrying and aggregates sector is dominated by a handful of large, multinational operators. However, the multitude of smaller, privately owned businesses play an increasingly important role in shaping the public’s perception of the industry, as well as fulfilling the construction industry’s insatiable demand for concrete and aggregates.
QM spoke to James Thorne, the new chief executive officer of The Institute of Quarrying, about the growth opportunities and challenges facing the industry, and his quest to ensure IQ continues to be at the forefront of education and training excellence, and professional competence within the sector.