The Barro Group – a supplier of concrete and other raw construction materials – has partnered with Australian non-profit company the ISS Institute to award one individual an international fellowship to the value of $12,500.
The fellowship provides an individual working within the heavy construction materials industry – particularly in concrete manufacturing or quarrying – with the opportunity to undertake an overseas research program for two or three weeks and enhance their skills.
According to Barro Group executive director Rhonda Barro, this is the first year the fellowship has been introduced.
“This fellowship is in memory of David Barro, the founder of the Barro Group who had always advocated industry innovation and improvement,” Barro said. {{image2-a:r-w:200}}
“The intention is to encourage innovation – we want to raise the bar and encourage industry improvement and leading best practice in Australia. It might be as simple as a more workable concrete or quarry material that improves operator placement, or reduces industry manufacturing costs,” she added.
Applicants will be asked to provide an outline of what research they would consider beneficial to the industry, and which overseas organisation, training program or conference they would propose to attend.
Some examples of the ‘skill enhancement’ categories on offer include leadership, sustainability, community engagement, technology, plant maintenance, industry safety and materials recycling.
Senior professionals in the concrete and quarrying industry and ISS Institute team members will evaluate submissions, with the short-listed applicants to be interviewed by a selection criteria committee.
Upon returning home, the winning applicant will be asked to provide detailed recommendations on new approaches that can be implemented into the industry. Applicants must also be residents of Australia and aged 18 and over, and can be located anywhere in Australia.
Applications for the fellowship close at 4:00pm on Friday 28 April, 2017. All conditions of entry including application forms can be found on the ISS website.
The David Barro Fellowship is independent of the annual Institute of Quarrying Australia (IQA) awards.
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