Dean Olzard is the general manager at ABC Training and Consulting, a registered training organisation working around Australia.
He shares insights with Quarry about the Australian industry and how the company is helping develop the next generation of workers for quarries.
Finding the next generation of employees is vital for all industry stakeholders, from businesses to original equipment manufacturers to quarries.
Quarry sat down with Dean Olzard, general manager at ABC Training and Consulting, to discuss his views on how to help the next generation of quarry operators and tackle one of the biggest concerns faced by the industry.
ABC Training has been a registered training organisation based in Queensland for over two decades. The company has clients across Australia and internationally who use its specialised training and consulting in laboratory operations, quarrying, and manufacturing.
What was your most important lesson from 2024?
At the start of the year, we made a conscious decision to focus on building meaningful partnerships with industry bodies and businesses. We actively participated in industry events, such as those hosted by IQA, to get in front of people. Our goal was not only to offer services but also to create value and establish long-term relationships.
By doing so, we can provide real insights to our clients and support the goals of industry bodies. Businesses and individuals are increasingly looking for partners who can offer more than just services – they want support and shared vision for growth and success.
There is a growing conversation about finding the next generation of quarry workers. How do you view that within the industry?
I think the big issue is the amount of experience leaving the industry, which is why education is so important.
As older workers move into their next stages of life or retire, years of invaluable experience are leaving with them. It needs to be replenished with new talent coming into the industry.
Everything I learned in the industry came from those people, and when I look at the industry broadly, I see that there are not many of those people there anymore. So, it is about attracting new staff, training them adequately and ensuring that knowledge is passed on.
Providing these will help ensure the industry’s attractiveness and appeal, ensuring its continued growth and success.
How are you working to address this issue?
We’re trying to do our part by making it attractive and appealing to the next batch of workers through the education system and training programs.
We believe we need to reach students at the secondary school level. We’re trying to show them the range of opportunities in laboratories, quarrying, and manufacturing.
We have been doing great things with year 10 to 12 students, mainly in Queensland. We have been delivering the Certificate III Laboratory Skills program with our trainers and assessors who come straight from the industry.
We go into the school and show them the jobs they can obtain through this pathway. We show them these opportunities as they learn the theoretical and practical skills they need. They learn what a laboratory is like, how to work in one, and how it functions.
We’re showing off the opportunities, and proving that careers in laboratories, manufacturing, and quarrying are both challenging and rewarding. We apply the “science in the real world” mentality and we treat them like they are in the workplace not a school.
They get to see and apply that knowledge; it helps path pathways into the industry.
What trend did you identify in 2024, and how does it impact your business?
There is an increasing demand for specific upskilling within the industry, and there are particular needs that need to be met. There is a big push, due to legislation requirements within quarrying changing. For example, education and accredited training on silicosis awareness needs to be addressed.
By attending more industry events like the IQA conference, we’ve started having conversations with our partners about this. We are currently consulting with our clients to make sure we meet their requirements and look forward to adding it to our offerings into 2025.
What innovations are you most excited about within the industry?
I think artificial intelligence is the big one. It is here, and it isn’t going away. It is reshaping everything in one way or another.
The application is huge, and at ABC Training, we are committed to evolving and leveraging this technology. However, we are mindful to ensure it doesn’t overshadow the human element that is integral to what we do.
What are your plans for 2025?
We’ve been talking to the Institute of Quarrying Australia’s education team and working with the Manufacturing Alliance on how to attract people to these sectors. That is our real passion, real life job outcomes.
We want to continue growing and expanding our national and international footprint. We’re looking to develop more meaningful partnerships with our clients and make sure we’re continually improving.
The Jobs and Skills Council Manufacturing Alliance has established a technical committee to provide industry and educational advice on the revision of the Certificate III in Manufactured Mineral Products. We are proud to have been chosen as members of this committee, enabling us to share our insights and the feedback of our clients and students to help shape a stronger qualification and improve job outcomes across the industry. •
For more information, visit abctraining.edu.au
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