Supplier News

Promoting the journey from “silent” to active achievers

The year seems like it’s flying by. We’ve already had some fantastic events in the IQA calendar in 2018, with many more ahead in the coming months.

In March I attended and presented at the Queensland branch’s Women in Quarrying (WIQ) conference. I was extremely proud to see the commitment of attendees and employers in supporting this event, which has grown significantly in the past few years under the guidance of WIQ national co-ordinator Tegan Smith and Queensland WIQ co-ordinator Anita Waihi.

The quality of speakers and engagement of delegates was again a showcase for the quality of educational programs that the IQA has to offer the industry and its members.

I was also excited to welcome more than 40 new IQA members to this event, and I trust they will all see the value of membership over the coming 12 months and make the most of our educational platform and networking opportunities.

{{quote-A:R-W:300-Q:"I am of the belief that we will be better for it, and we need this engagement to ensure we are better understood and hopefully become somewhat desirable as an industry offering diversity, challenge and a rewarding career."}}A number of delegates commented to me that they were excited about the WIQ conference and the industry in general, and this event was an inspiration to work towards a number of roles within the industry, some of which they had not even thought possible before.

Our industry offers a large variety of roles across operational, technical and management spheres and is often proof that, with a little drive, a rewarding and challenging career is possible.

We have been known as a very tight community in our industry, different from many other sectors, with a long-term workforce and now an ageing workforce as well. Once you’ve been bitten by the quarrying bug, it’s hard to think about working in another industry.

Speaking from experience, even when change is desired, people often stay within the industry and move companies or roles within it. Our challenge, of course, is to not only retain people (which has been the easier challenge) but to attract people to the industry, as we are competing with many other sectors that have a very polished pitch, full of excitement and opportunity.

We have the good news stories, and the successes to tell of; we just traditionally haven’t done that well at broadcasting this information. We’ve often wanted to be the silent achievers, not trying to draw attention to our industry from the community.

Times, of course, are changing and we are engaging more than ever with those around us. This is not only positive, but also essential to our longevity.

I’m certainly not suggesting this is an easy process or one that can be done overnight, but the industry and the IQA have already made significant steps in the right direction with the school visits program and establishment of the Australasian Academy of Quarrying, bringing quarrying to the attention of school leavers and university entrants.

I’ve also seen some great examples of companies engaging in community partnerships and programs that ultimately benefit both groups from a relationship and understanding perspective.

The journey has just begun with respect to the changing world of community engagement, and more specifically in targeting the next generation of employees.

I am of the belief that we will be better for it, and we need this engagement to ensure we are better understood and hopefully become somewhat desirable as an industry offering diversity, challenge and a rewarding career.

Have a safe and productive month ahead!

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