The Institute of Quarrying (IQ) has developed a new geotechnical qualification, that is designed to provide a flexible and innovative approach for those working in the industry.
The IQ says that, responding to feedback from employers and industry professionals and with support from MP Awards, it is offering members and non-members access to the new Level 3 and 4 Awards in Geotechnical Knowledge for Managing Mineral Processing Operations.
The new geotechnical qualification is suitable for anyone dealing with quarried products in day-to-day job roles. Comprising a blend of assessed classroom training, site tour, e-learning modules, and a professional discussion, it is tailored to the learners’ operational environment and can be completed at their own pace.
Anthony Elgey, education and skills project manager at the IQ, said the new geotechnical qualification will raise the standards and underpin the competencies required by the sector, now and in the future.
He added: “One of the key improvements to the qualification is that it is now pathway driven. Learners can choose tailored modules and units relevant to the specific geology and the needs of the operational environment, be it quarry, dimension stone operation, cement works, sand pit, wharf, or rail depot.
“The course is flexible and can be completed at the learners’ own pace to fit around busy work-life schedules. We’ve also removed the exam aspect and replaced the final assessment with a professional discussion, a great way of assessing how they put the theory into practice.”
As part of a three-tier approach, learners will attend a one day classroom training session with an industry specialist, who will also guide the candidates on a tour of the site putting theory into real world context, followed by the completion of a short programme of tailored online learning. The final step involves a professional discussion, whereby an assessor will evaluate that their knowledge meets the standard of the new qualification.
MP Awards, part of the Mineral Products Qualifications Council (MPQC), is a dedicated sector-specific Awarding Organisation for regulated qualifications. It also provides assessment solutions and a range of other services within the extractive, mineral processing and related manufacturing sectors.
