Zubayr Colley has developed into a team leader at Benedict Industries as part of an exciting journey in the quarrying sector.
Before finding his place in the quarry sector, Zubayr Colley tried his hand at a bit of everything -construction, retail, and truck driving.
Nothing quite felt right until, about seven years ago, he saw a sign on a local quarry saying they were hiring.
He instantly thought: “That’s something I’d like to do.”
With his truck licence in hand, Colley landed the role and started out driving the water cart. Eager to learn, he put his hand up for excavator training and soon became the loader operator, ensuring the quality of sand and other products going out.
From there, Colley worked his way up. He has operated dump trucks and front-end loaders and eventually took on the responsibility of loading the crushing and screening plant. He has also worked in sales.
Colley’s willingness to take on new challenges led him to a supervisor role, and today, he’s the site supervisor at Benedict Industries.
“I’ve done almost every job, water cart, loader, excavator, articulated haul truck and now I lead the team,” he said. “I’m also working towards my quarry manager’s certificate. I want to repay the people who’ve put their trust in me and keep progressing in my career.”
What made Colley feel at home in the quarry sector was the people. “When I walked in, everyone was supportive and wanted to see me succeed,” he said.
“That was new to me, and I just ran with it. I’ve never looked back.”
Having worked in so many different roles, Colley has a strong understanding of every part of the quarry, which helps him support his team.
His biggest inspiration is his family, especially his young son.
“Once you have a child, your priorities change, and I want to give him a good life,” he said.
Every day, he enjoys working closely with a team that’s goal-driven and supportive. “We all want to be successful, and that makes for a great work environment,” he said.
One frustration for Colley is that many people don’t know what a quarry is or what quarry workers do.
“Quarrying isn’t taught in schools, and it’s a sector that tends to fly under the radar,” he said. “People don’t realise that if you work in a quarry, you’ve helped build everything- roads, buildings, all kinds of infrastructure. We make everything, and everything you use comes from a quarry.”
Colley’s keen to change perceptions about the sector. “People still associate quarrying with being dusty, dirty, noisy, and dangerous, but it’s not like that,” he said.
“The sector is advanced, uses a lot of technology, and focuses heavily on safety. I hope that by the time my son grows up, quarries are seen as a rewarding career with endless opportunities.”
Colley also wants the community to know that quarries are highly regulated and take their responsibilities seriously.
“We focus on rehabilitating the land so it can be used after we’re done. We’re not just digging holes and leaving them; we’re making sure the land is usable for the future,” he said.
Outside of work, Colley enjoys spending time with his family and has a passion for Japanese cars.
“There’s something about the golden era of Japanese cars – the fast motors, the ability to modify them, and the fun of always having a project in the garage,” he said.
Colley’s advice to young people is simple.
“Back yourself. Trust yourself, put yourself out there, and give things a go. Don’t be afraid to try different things,” he said.
“At the end of the day, we’re playing with big toys. It’s fun, it’s safe, and it’s rewarding. If you loved playing with Tonka trucks as a kid, now you get to play with the real thing as an adult.”
Colley’s journey is proof that with curiosity, determination, and the right support, you can build a solid career in the quarrying sector. •
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