This month sees the bi-annual Hillhead event return, which represents a great opportunity for our members to visit the show and keep abreast of the latest advances in the technology and equipment that support our industry. It is also a great opportunity for us, as individuals, to catch up with colleagues and friends, sharing our experiences, successes and challenges. That network of trusted peers is a critical part of what makes our industry so special and why it is such a great sector to join and build a career in. For me, at this moment in time, this is the key message we collectively need to share as often as we can.
This message will be loud and clear at the Hillhead show, where the IQ will continue to engage with and promote opportunities to the next generation of talent through the Minerals Matter school visit programme, held on the Thursday. This provides young people with the opportunity to see and understand the careers our industry can offer.
The IQ team will be present at the show and is looking forward to meeting members to discuss how we can support them in their professional development, alongside our partner organisations. Now more than ever, with a challenging economic climate, we must remain competitive and collaborative to maintain core standards across all disciplines in our sector.
This collaboration was evident at the recent Institute of Asphalt Technology’s (IAT) 60th anniversary dinner and conference last month, which I had the pleasure and honour of attending. The theme of the conference was “resilience in action”, reminding us of the need to be ready for challenges in the short, medium and long term, particularly in the area of human capital, where I was proud to represent our industry’s challenges in an open forum.
Our relationship with the IAT and other stakeholders reinforces the importance of working together to support all parts of our sector and deliver value to our respective members, while also attracting and retaining talent. Sharing these common themes, while remaining focused on our respective areas, helps to build resilience more effectively.
I passionately believe that, in a fast-changing world with rapid technological developments, the role of the Institute is becoming ever more important in balancing and harnessing these advancements alongside our core experience and professional knowledge. Our sector is critical to the UK economy, even if this is not always fully recognised within government, and the success of our industry will always depend on the people within it. I am proud not only of our history of supporting the industry over the past 100 years, but also of how we are helping to drive it forward in uncertain times.
In my role as President of the Institute, I look forward to catching up with as many of you as possible at the Hillhead show.
