The University of Leicester’s Department of Geology has developed the first UK postgraduate courses specifically for the quarrying industry - a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Quarry Management and Operations.

Aggregate providers Holcim and Lafarge are individually working with the Department of Geology on these distance learning courses which are intended to utilise work-based learning supplemented by residentials with high-level industry specialists provided by the companies themselves. Much of the learning and teaching at the residentials is carried out practically on quarries at the rock-face, rather than delivering lectures in the classroom.

This postgraduate program is adjusted to each company’s requirements, targetting their respective needs, and will prepare staff for senior management roles in their respective companies.

Course Director of Quarry Programmes, Toby White, says, “The important thing about these courses is that they are developed with, and focused towards, the needs of two of the world’s largest quarrying companies. This is tailored provision of advanced postgraduate material and we work closely with them to make sure it meets their needs.”

He continues, “By the end the student will have a full breadth of appreciation for how the industry works, as opposed to when they came in when they probably had good practical experience but not necessarily exposure to the full context of their work. The joined-up nature of how these courses developed was fantastic – it’s how I believe employer engagement should work.”

Human Resources Director for Lafarge Aggregates Ltd, Jim Verity, explains, "The development of this programme with Leicester University demonstrates our continuing commitment to developing the skills and knowledge of our workforce. We have found this programme has significantly contributed to improving the overall standards in our Quarries.”

Director of Distance Learning in the Department of Geology, Kip Jeffrey, comments, “What a lot of people don’t appreciate is that Leicester really is the home of the UK quarrying industry. If you were to look around Leicester you would see some of the country’s largest quarries. We are an export county - we are at the frontline of aggregate provision. The industry is under pressure, like any other that relies on construction at the moment. We would say we’re well placed to help them work as efficiently as possible by getting their staff trained.”

The Postgraduate Certificate in Quarry Management and Operations is currently only open to employees of Lafarge or Holcim, for more information on the course contact Toby White on 07731 970 692  or email T.White@le.ac.uk.

Find out more about the University of Leicester.

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Content added on 5th December 2011. 

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