It’s March and the year feels like it’s flying by. I trust 2018 has started well for you all, and that you’re well and truly back into the swing of things.
As I mentioned in my president’s report last month, the IQA is now implementing its five-year strategic plan, which was developed in 2017.
One of the key success drivers of the strategic plan is membership engagement and diversification.
As many of you know, I am passionate about membership and growing it throughout the industry so others can benefit from being part of our organisation.
This is partly why I’ve set the ambitious target of 2000 members by 2019.
Our CEO Paul Sutton recently announced one initiative. Workers in operational roles within the Australian extractive industry will be entitled to a special introductory membership of just $50 for one year – a saving of $215!
This is great value and a fantastic opportunity for quarry workers – eg front-end loader, excavator and crushing plant operators, etc – to join the IQA and invest in their professional development.
The initiative will also assist in growing our membership and meeting the 2019 target.
{{quote-A:R-W:300-Q:"Establishment of the AAQ is a step forward in education, not only to members but the broader community."}}Details of this membership offer are available on the IQA’s website – quarry.com.au/Membership/ CostsandApplicationForm.aspx
I also congratulate our suppliers for getting behind this initiative, for paying for some operator memberships at their clients’ sites. It’s fantastic to see this support across the industry.
I recently had the pleasure of meeting with the Women in Quarrying network co-ordinators, to assist in strategising for the next five years and to prepare a charter to help provide direction for the network’s future operation and growth.
With such a strong start since inception, the WIQ network has seen a significant number of women working in the industry attend lunches, seminars and conferences across the country.
The challenge now (and my hope) is to encourage people who are participating in the WIQ to also join up as IQA members.
A similar approach to setting a strategic direction has been used for our Young Members Network late last year and the branch chairs last month.
It has been exciting to see so many committed people within our industry working together for the betterment of the greater industry, and it certainly assists in achieving our vision of “educating and connecting our extractive industry”.
With this issue of Quarry focusing on education, I would like to take this opportunity to update you on the Australian Academy of Quarrying.
The IQA board has approved the AAQ concept and we are working with Paul Sutton to establish and operationalise the academy, which includes working with the University of Southern Queensland and University of Queensland around our quarrying specific undergraduate and post-graduate degrees.
Establishment of the AAQ is a milestone event in the IQA’s history and a step forward in providing world-class and relevant education, not only to our members but also the broader community.
Having quarrying identified as a profession to school leavers will also, in my view, enable our industry profile to improve and will hopefully unlock a large potential future workforce and prepare the next generation of quarry industry professionals.
Have a safe and productive month.