Case Studies

Quarry Management
Richard Frost - MPA member company

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I am responsible for more than 20 people and I find the responsibility I have at a young age highly challenging.

You learn something new every day. I want to push on up the ladder towards senior management as high as I can go. It’s a fantastic job and I love doing it.

Waste Management
David Fitzgerald - MPA member company

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Before this job, I wasn’t aware of the broad scope and diverse fields on offer within the quarrying industry.

I enjoy the range of challenges presented to me every day. There’s always something different going on.

Human Resources
Shamir Ghumra - MPA member company

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I chose this graduate programme because of the diverse nature of the quarrying industry. While there are the usual training opportunities that are found on most schemes, I didn’t think I’d have so much responsibility so early on.

On my second day with the company I was given a placement at a glass recycling plant in Somerset. This showed me that the opportunities are there for the taking. I look forward to my career and hope it’s going to be a long and fruitful one.

Quarry Manager
Carmella Barbour - MPA member company

As I was commencing a vocational degree course at Doncaster College and it was necessary to be sponsored to do the course, I began application to various quarrying companies. I commenced employment with Aggregate Industries in May 1997.

My BEng in Quarrying and Road Surfacing was issued through Leeds University and as it was vocational I worked 6 months of the year with Aggregate Industries at different sites.

I gained valuable experience and knowledge of the company as well as carrying out projects required for my degree.

I have held different roles in my career from being an Assistant Quarry manager, Processing Supervisor before getting my own quarry. I have been at Ivonbrook Quarry as Manager for 18 months and I really enjoy it.

Assistant Quarry Manager
Charles Trigg - MPA member company

Currently I start work at 8:00am and can quite happily work until 6:00pm. My day involves walking the site in the morning to see what is happening and discuss past, present and future matters with colleagues, with regards to production, maintenance and general site and product topics. At present I am also involved in a multi million pound replant, and therefore work closely with contractors to ensure all is going well.

The industry allows me to work outdoors, rather than in some congested office, where I can see and be hands-on with a whole process from start to finish. The nature of the work involves a lot of lateral thinking and ideas to ensure the job is done. There is also regular project management and the opportunity to play with large pieces of equipment!

Unit Manager
Joan Hughes - MPA member company

The working environment does not lend itself well in providing the “typical day”. No day is the same as the next, but all share the similarity of providing a wide variety of unexpected and proactive events in which you have to inform, advise and instruct a variety of stakeholders.

On site we have a diverse team working in a wide array of disciplines. Interaction amongst all disciplines is encouraged and necessary to deliver a smooth, efficient and safe working environment. The typical day is a team approach that involves interactions with production, quality, sales, marketing and distribution as well as customer care.

Due to the diversity of tasks, the typical day provides a great balance of working inside and out. Wherever you are, you get lots of opportunity to initiate physical improvements and drive personal development in your team which is a really satisfying part of the typical day.

Operations Manager
David Garrity - MPA member company

I coordinate the day-to-day operation of six concrete block plants in Northern Ireland. I am responsible for every aspect of the business, from health and safety to production output and quality, these being the most important elements. I aim to meet monthly targets for both production and maintenance budgets. This can always be a challenging thing to do as there are a lot of unforeseen circumstances that can arise!

The job has a great amount of variety and that is what I like most. It is never boring and be very demanding, but with this comes rewards. I get the opportunity to travel around Northern Ireland on inspections and site visits too.

Trainee Quarry Manager
James Cuthbert - MPA member company

I joined the company in January 2005 from Napier University in Edinburgh where I completed a BA Hons Business Studies with Information Management.

My first role with the company was as a Trainee Quarry Manager at a Sand & Gravel site where I gained invaluable management experience. I moved to be part of the OEE team, which is a team of people who evaluate sites and make suggestions for improvements to improve efficiency.

I am thoroughly enjoying my time here. I have found the company a friendly and cohesive team. You are very much a person at Aggregate Industries able to express your own thoughts, and actively encouraged to communicate freely with all levels. There are also great training opportunities with the company that not only ensure that you have the skills and knowledge to do you job, but give you the opportunity to develop.

Management Training
Jo Davis - MPA member company

I completed a placement year at Aggregate Industries as part of my 4 year BSc in Business Information Technology at University of Central Lancashire. I spent the year as an IT Trainer with the HR Department and the company sponsored me in my final year at university along with guaranteeing me a job after graduation.

I joined the company in August of 2004 as a Training Officer and my role is varied. I have moved away from IT Training and mainly deliver management training. I meet a variety of different people and am given responsibility and the chances for training and development. I was part of the Personal Development Group (PDG) which included completing a Management Diploma.

The placement year gave me a glimpse into the company and whether it would be right for me along with trying out my preferred job role before taking a full time position. Knowing I had a job allowed me to really concentrate on my final year of studies too. I enjoy working for a company which is focused on developing young people within the business and supporting you every step of the way!

Graduate Trainee Scheme
Rachel Broadhurst - MPA member company

I joined Aggregate Industries in August 2005, with a degree in Business Studies from The University of Sheffield & was attracted to Aggregate Industries because of the flexibility and individuality of their Graduate Scheme. I didn’t know exactly what job I wanted to end up doing, and I didn’t want a training scheme that was channelled towards one career path. I was impressed by the scope of the opportunities available, and the company’s attitude towards the progression of their graduates.

Whenever I talk to potential new graduates, I always describe our training scheme as the perfect start for people who don’t quite know what they want to do! Aggregate Industries offer a huge range of opportunities to new recruits, and if you demonstrate the right potential, there is a real possibility of fast progression. I do not know what path my career will take, but I believe that this training scheme has given me a firm grounding and laid the foundations for what I hope will be a successful and rewarding career.

Sales Support
Beth White - MPA member company

In the morning I do everyday tasks, clear price vetting, prepare, collect post, sort faxes, print and send letters such as order acknowledgments. In the afternoon, I attempt to resolve any queries, put quotes on for the Reps, re-check fax machines and post, help reps with job chasing, do any filing.

Throughout the day I answer the phones, speak to customers, take messages. I get to speak to a variety of people on a daily basis. For example, colleagues I wouldn’t know otherwise at the weighbridge or in the office, customers from different backgrounds, in different employment, of different ages.

I get a sense of satisfaction from aiding the production of everyday things like Roads, Playgrounds and Sports Pitches that other people might take for granted. I have found my communication skills have developed beyond the book- learned standard and because of this my confidence has developed.