Students given insight into minerals industry

Youngsters have been finding out more about the quarry and mineral products industries thanks to an initiative supported by the D2N2 LEP.

The Minerals Matter initiative, backed by D2N2’s Careers Hub, is an industry led approach to raise the profile of the sector for career opportunities.

At this year’s Hillhead, the industry’s largest exhibition for quarrying, construction and recycling, which took place in Derbyshire, a delegation of students from Chapel-en-le-Frith High School met industry operators to learn about career opportunities.

The visit was delivered under the Minerals Matter initiative and arranged by the Institute of Quarrying.

James Thorne, chief executive of the Institute of Quarrying, said: “The quarrying and mineral products sector brings a significant financial benefit to Derbyshire.

“There are currently more than 20 active quarries across the Peak and Dales, generating around £2.1 billion gross value added per year to the national economy.

“Being able to show young people first-hand the incredible range of extraordinary careers that our sector has to offer has to be a way forward for us all.

“It’s only by opening our doors and sharing what we do with our communities that we will be able to attract the best of the best to join us and invigorate our industry for the future.”

The week prior to attending Hillhead, the students also visited the National Stone Centre and took part in a workshop developed to give them an overview of where minerals are used and the impact of the industry.

Emily Carter, operational Careers Hub lead at D2N2, said: “Working in partnership with the Institute of Quarrying to support this pilot programme has been an exciting development here in Derbyshire.

“Young people can’t be what they can’t see. Creating an opportunity to access the aspiration raising Hillhead Show I am sure has been a huge step in supporting future skills into the industry by allowing business in this sector to showcase the diversity of pathways available, and young people to visualise themselves in an environment they may not have considered previously.

“It is essential that we continue to develop this best practice to reach more young people from the earliest opportunity within their education.”