Several industry figures from the Australian quarrying sector have revealed what makes their chosen field and IQA membership so rewarding.
The Australian quarrying sector is living proof of the six degrees of separation theory.
Many of the workforce have been in the sector for a long time, so the chances are often high that you and the people you meet will have a mutual quarrying acquaintance.
With this in mind, networking and ongoing education are paramount to forging a successful career in this field. They are also fundamental reasons to join the Institute of Quarrying Australia (IQA).
The IQA’s latest campaign uncovers why members are part of the IQA and the wider quarrying industry and how their membership benefits them.
Clayton Hill, technical director for resources and operations at Groundwork and former IQA president, said the IQA opened many employment opportunities.
“The Institute is there for you [so] you can use them as that sounding board or that extra step for you in your career to get that information you need or even find that next job,” he said.
“The Institute has a jobs board [so] you can keep abreast of what vacancies are available. There is a whole lot of things that the Institute provides which, as a young member, is just such a great thing to be involved in.”
As part of the broader Institute of Quarrying network—including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa, Malaysia, and Hong Kong —the IQA provides ongoing training and education for the industry’s diverse workforce.
Designed for everyone in the quarrying industry, from entry-level operators to management, the training ensures all workers are updated with the latest occupational health and safety practices, legislation, and standards. It also showcases how the industry can promote environmental and social responsibility through responsible environmental management of quarry sites.
The IQA provides a wide range of training types for every individual in the industry. Throughout the year, the IQA offers a range of conferences, seminars, training courses, competency assessment schemes, workshops, technical meetings, technical papers, textbooks and site visits for workers to access professional development opportunities.
Jason Egan has been around the quarrying industry for more than three decades. The industry stalwart has served in multiple roles in that time and believed the IQA was an essential part of his ongoing learning.
“The education that the IQA provides is quite detailed, really important, and up to date,” he said.
“I think the sharing of knowledge and experience is critical, and you don’t do that if you don’t blend and mix with others, and the IQA offers that.”
Cathy Young, an IQA member of 13 years, shared the sentiment and believed the training had helped her throughout her career. Young has been part of the Groundwork Plus team for more than a decade and currently serves as its data systems manager after starting as an office administrator.
“I really enjoyed the training provided by the IQA; I find it very beneficial and very focused on the industry,” she said.
“Being a member of the IQA certainly created exposure for me to people in the industry.”
Alongside its extensive work in educating the quarrying workforce, the IQA also delivers extensive networking opportunities for the industry.
The premier event was held earlier this year as the industry descended upon Adelaide for the IQA 2024 National Conference from October 15 to 17.
The major event presented an opportunity for the industry to come together and catch up through site tours, gala dinners, and educational keynote speeches over three days.
Tegan Smith has been an IQA member for 15 years and said networking has played a role in her successful career. Smith has played a significant role in the sector as the national women in quarrying coordinator for the IQA and as part of Groundwork Plus, where she currently works as the technical discipline manager.
“The benefits for me in the IQA is relationships,” she said. “The people in our industry are usually in our industry for a long time. Those relationships are so important. Our industry is full of good salt-of-the-earth people who want to share their knowledge, and I’ve had the benefit of that over my career.”
Chris Wilson, quarry manager at Hanson Australia, said IQA events led him to develop a strong professional network in the industry.
“It is nice to know there is going to be some familiar names and faces, and it is a nice leg into having a bit of a social life and that sort of thing outside of the workspace,” he said.
Michael Higgins is Boral’s quarry support manager for metropolitan Queensland. He has been an IQA member for 12 years and recommends joining the Institute for newcomers to the industry.
“It is a great way to start your career in quarrying,” he said.
“It obviously helps you; it is very aligned with what we need to know in our industry, and also, it is a great way to meet people in the industry and for young people to meet people in the industry.” •
For more information, visit quarry.com.au
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