Aggregate Industries develop new vocational qualification
Company lays the foundations for the next generation with industry-first Level 4 Diploma
AS part of their continued commitment to upskilling the next generation, Aggregate Industries have developed a first-of-its-kind vocational qualification designed to equip technical staff with the knowledge and practical skills needed to develop their careers in the construction materials field.
The new MPQC Level 4 Diploma in Aggregate and Asphalt Technical Activities (DAATA) has been purposefully developed to support individuals undertaking technical functions specifically in asphalt or aggregate operations, so they can demonstrate their knowledge and competence.
The two-year course covers all aspects of aggregate and asphalt production and quality-control testing, and develops knowledge of the technical standards, specifications, quality-management systems, and other customer-service requirements that apply.
Constituting the first-of-its-kind in the construction sector, the new qualification is recognized and approved by Ofqual, MPAwards and CIHT as the foundation of knowledge and competence to award the EngTech professional qualification to successful learners.
This latest activity supports Aggregate Industries’ Technical Career Development Roadmap, a comprehensive career development platform designed to empower technical colleagues to advance their professional journeys across the business.
Phil Sabin, technical director at Aggregate Industries, said: ‘The construction industry is a broad and dynamic field that offers a wide range of career opportunities, from hands-on roles to leadership positions. Yet, from our experience, many of our technical team establish a solid foundation in materials technology, but too few use that grounding to pursue more senior technical roles or opportunities outside of this field.
‘Our new DAATA course has been designed to equip technical staff with the knowledge and practical skills to take their career to the next step. What’s great is each course member has a senior technical team as mentor and assessor to ensure they have the support and training necessary to complete the course as well as opportunities for secondment to experience parts of our aggregate or asphalt operations that they may not be familiar with. This development is in line with our concerted commitment to helping our colleagues develop their careers in the construction materials field.’
Launched in 2021, the inaugural two-year DAATA course is nearing its completion for the first cohort. A further 10 candidates have already signed up to follow their lead on the next course which commences this month.
Mr Sabin added: ‘The challenge has been immense through the Covid period for the five students partaking in the inaugural course, but they overcame the challenges and I’m very much looking forward to presenting their awards later this year. I would like to take the opportunity to commend the effort, dedication, and sheer hard work each student has put into achieving this qualification and I hope they may inspire other colleagues to take a similar path in developing their career with us.’
