‘Global’ quarrying course set to be industry cornerstone

FOR the first time, UK and foreign visitors to last week’s Hillhead show were able to sign up for an internationally recognized training course – provided by University of Derby Corporate, the University’s business-to business arm – to boost the skills of professionals across the world.

The one-year University Certificate in International Quarry Operations, developed in partnership with the Institute of Quarrying, covers quarry development and management, materials extraction and processing, operational best practice and quarry blasting.

Industry professionals in countries including India, Malaysia, Romania, Poland, Oman and the UK are already studying the course at a distance; using online resources and even ‘attending’ virtual lectures given in Derby while they are at home, sometimes thousands of miles away.

Dawn Whitemore, Head of University of Derby Corporate, said: ‘We have on offer the first tailor-made online course for aggregate producers wherever they are in the world. It is fitting that a training course aimed at setting a global standard for those in the industry was on offer an event such as Hillhead 2010, which attracts so many overseas visitors.’

Other related courses offered by University of Derby Corporate include: Asphalt Technology (Diploma), Construction Materials (Certificate), Quarry Technology (Diploma) and Ready Mixed Concrete Technology (Certificate).