UDC opens new training centre for mineral products industry
University of Derby Corporate launches new Centre of Excellence for Mineral Products Professional Development
LAST month more than 60 industry leaders and training professionals attended the launch of the University of Derby Corporate’s (UDC) new Centre of Excellence for Mineral Products Professional Development (MPPD).
The state-of-the-art facility, located at the university’s Enterprise Centre in Derby city centre, will be dedicated to providing professionally accredited, industry-supported and globally recognized training courses to the mineral products industry.
Mark Osbaldeston, manager and head of the MMPD centre, welcomed the guests and explained why the move to UDC’s Enterprise Centre was ‘absolutely necessary’, describing the training facilities as ‘first class, modern and flexible.’
Mr Osbaldeston also introduced three key speakers at the event: Cedric Hollinsworth, chairman of the Mineral Products Qualifications Council (MPQC); Andrew Hartley, managing director of UDC; and Bill Bolsover, chair of the Strategic Forum for Construction.
Mr Hollinsworth (pictured) gave an historical overview of higher education provision in the industry, reminding delegates that it all began with the DAPS course delivered by Doncaster College and the formal transfer of courses in 2007, when the first-ever university-level academic diplomas in quarrying and asphalt technology were unveiled at the University of Derby.
He also praised the work of the UDC and said he was looking forward to its continued relationship with both the Institute of Quarrying (IQ) and MPQC, as the industry aims to achieve Zero Harm in the workplace.
‘We have a strong, unique partnership with the UDC because we share the same goal of offering and delivering academically recognized training programmes, and addressing the issues of competence not only at a national policy level, but also globally as well,’ said Mr Hollinsworth. ‘With the opening of the new education centre, I am delighted with the modern teaching environment that is representative of the mineral products sector.’
Next to speak was Andrew Hartley who reiterated the importance of UDC’s close working ties with the quarrying industry and pointed out that the opening of the new centre demonstrates the organization’s commitment to the sector.
‘We clearly want to build on the success of what we have already achieved with the IQ, MPQC and other industry partners,’ he explained. ‘The suite of new industry-specific professional programmes unveiled today reflects our strong commitment to helping the industry to achieve a fully trained, competent and professional workforce.’
The new courses are set to commence in September/October 2013 and include: an Honours degree in Minerals Management (designed specifically with UK and international professionals in mind); and Foundation degrees in Mineral Extractives (with an international pathway); Asphalt and Pavement, and Clay Technology.
The final speaker, Bill Bolsover, spoke about some of the challenges that quarry operators are currently facing, including the well-documented skills shortages in the industry. He went into detail about the ongoing problem of attracting young recruits into the construction products sector and reiterated his long-standing call for the quarrying industry to do more to promote itself to the general public.
