The Institute of Quarrying Australia (IQA) has launched its ambassador program for 2025 to help grow and support the quarrying sector.
The Institute of Quarrying Australia (IQA) has launched one of its key initiatives in 2025 in the IQA Ambassador Program.
The program features 26 of the sector’s most respected leaders to champion its mission and growth in 2025.
Together, the ambassadors will help support the IQA’s mission of strengthening the engagement of IQA members.
One of the IQA Ambassadors for this year is Jason Egan, FIQ. Egan is an experienced professional in the quarrying sector who has worked in various capacities for close to 30 years. He is the product development manager at Lantrak, which specialises in material and plant hire solutions.
Outside the sector, he is also a volunteer speaker for Beyond Blue at workplaces, conferences and community organisations, sharing his journey and experience of taking care of his mental health and wellbeing and how to help others who may be struggling.
Why did you decide to be part of the IQA Ambassador program?
As I thought it was a great initiative, it was an easy decision for me to take it on.
In a way, I’ve been an ambassador for the IQA for years, especially when I was travelling across Queensland and New South Wales for my work.
I have always talked to quarry professionals about the benefits of the IQA, encouraging them to consider becoming a member.
These quarry professionals include quarry owners, managers, supervisors, operators and those in support and contracted roles such as administration, maintenance, material haulage, safety and environmental professionals. They all contribute to a successful quarry site and sector.
I joined the program to continue to grow the IQA membership base and help these professionals learn, grow and develop.
Why did you join the IQA, and why have you remained involved?
I initially joined the IQA to be involved in an organisation where I could learn as much as I could from the knowledge and experience of others.
While the IQA offers excellent education programs, there is a wealth of knowledge and experience available to individuals through the networks that you can build over time.
I’ve been a member of the IQA for close to 30 years, and much of my learning has come from my network; liaising and collaborating with all sorts of quarry professionals, helping me and my career in the quarrying sector.
I have also gained many friendships along the way.
I am extremely grateful for the network I have and it continues to grow. Your network allows you to reach out when you have a problem or you are looking for a solution or to gain new insight.
If someone in the sector is doing something different, why not ask them?
When the Quarry Managers Certification Scheme (QMCS) was first developed, I was fortunate to be one of the first quarry managers to participate. I believed that it was a positive initiative for the sector’s employers and employees alike and now look at its relevance in the sector, especially in New South Wales and Queensland.
The IQA provides individuals with many professional development opportunities, many of which accrue CPD points.
What would you tell someone who is thinking of becoming an IQA member?
The first thing I would say is don’t just wait for your employer to pay for it. While many employers do, don’t let that necessarily delay your decision to join, as the benefits can be immediate.
Treat it as an investment in yourself and your career, and should your employer reimburse you, well, that’s them investing in you and your career.
Becoming a member is one thing, but I encourage each existing and new member to actively participate in all of the offerings, including the dinner meetings, technical seminars, site tours, golf days, conferences and education offerings (face-to-face and online).
Perhaps even consider joining your committee, and if you do, please be an active committee member. Your ideas and suggestions are invaluable.
What do you hope to achieve as an IQA ambassador?
I would like to see more existing members actively participate in the IQA, and those who join also become active members.
Ideally, I would like to see more quarry professionals at the IQA networking events, engaging with each other encouraging and supporting their “up and coming” staff to the events. While our desire is to increase the number of members, it is also essential that we increase the number of active members who engage in the organisation and the wonderful network within it.•
For more information, visit quarry.com.au
