Delivering real training, mentoring ? wherever you may be

 

I am a Certified Practicing Quarry Manager (CPQM), and proud of it. Proud because I have been recognised by a highly credentialed and independent QMCS board as having the experience, qualifications and quarry knowledge to meet the requirements for certification.

And to me, the recognition of my peers, and those creditable quarry professionals involved in the QMCS, is extremely important.

Professional development is about providing training, mentoring and certification to quarry workers, supervisors, managers, suppliers and regulators to ensure that we improve skills and knowledge within our industry and provide career paths for young people within the quarrying industry. The IQA have this as a key strategic goal.

This month, the IQA is launching a revised QMCS. While we have retained the existing qualifications of CPQM and Certified Practicing Quarry Supervisor (CPQS), we are confident that the changes ensure that these qualifications will meet the statutory position requirements for quarry managers in each state in Australia. It is possible that OHS harmonisation may not deliver a positive result in this area but the IQA is confident that our QMCS will be recognised in most, if not all, states across Australia.

The other significant change is that we are introducing a career path for school leavers and young members that will provide support and mentoring to them through a programme leading to the CPQM qualification.

For young people interested in quarrying, this is an opportunity to enter the industry with a pre-determined pathway for you to follow that will ensure you get recognition for the skills that you obtain along the way. It will also deliver you a nationally recognised qualification.

For those young people living in remote areas, this is a wonderful opportunity to join the quarrying industry and reap the benefits of mentoring, not often offered within other industries, in remote areas.

The IQA is developing a model program to provide training and mentoring to young people in remote areas. We are currently providing training and mentoring to a group of quarry workers in the Torres Straits, assisted by funding from the Queensland Government. This project will not only deliver excellent outcomes for the people of Thursday and Horne Islands, it will also provide the IQA with a model for delivering professional development in remote areas.

The provision of mentors and our e-learning initiative will ensure that members in remote areas receive the benefits of professional development currently enjoyed by members living in, and near, metropolitan areas.

You can be assured that the IQA board is committed to delivering the training, mentoring and professional recognition required to all members, regardless of their postal address.

I am heartened that we can now deliver real training and mentoring to the quarrying industry and I would love to see more of you achieve the level of certification that you want to achieve.

Wayne Scott
President
Institute of Quarrying Australia