16 December 2024
Minerals Matter, an initiative of the Mineral Products Qualifications Council (MPQC), collaborating with the minerals products sector to tackle shared recruitment, diversity and succession issues, has signed its hundredth ambassador as part of its essential youth outreach work.
“2024 has been a very successful year, raising greater awareness of the work of Minerals Matter and most importantly hitting our target of recruiting 100 volunteer ambassadors. Each one gives some of their own time to educate and inspire young people about the vast range of career opportunities in our sector. By talking directly to young people in education, they help break down any negative perceptions about the nature of the work and help young people understand that mineral products are the opportunity for more sustainable living, not the enemy of it,” said Hannah Higley, Minerals Matter, Future Careers Manager.
Helen Bailey, Programme Lead Asphalt and Pavements, University of Derby and Vice Chair of the Institute of Quarrying (IQ) is the hundredth ambassador to join the Minerals Matter programme and advocates for companies in the sector to enable their workforce to inspire, “Beyond engaging directly with young people there is a top-down industry need for the mineral products sector to help solve its recruitment issues. The young people I meet are very eager to understand the work we do. To see the scale of the machinery, the quarries and the innovative science behind it all. It is therefore essential that as part of our work, employers provide their employees with time and opportunity to invite young people to experience working environments at first hand, Also, to develop informative and progressive work experience and internship opportunities and to use apprenticeships to develop well rounded people who understand the whole site operation, not just a single role.”
Hazen Bowskill, completed over ten community outreach activities during 2024, including STEM sessions, mock interviews and careers fairs, putting his 21 years of industry experience to good use, “When I first started going into schools it was clear that many of the children and indeed teachers believed quarry work to be somewhat of a last resort career choice. Then, I explained the extensive list of qualifications I hold thanks to the sector and how salaries more than match up to other sectors. On top of that I see the enthusiasm of the young people when they make the link between mineral products and the subjects, they care passionately about, for instance, energy, climate change, the circular economy and regeneration. As a result, educators really value my input.”
Minerals Matter ambassadors are supported by welcome packs and online resources to help them plan activities.
James Thorne, CEO, IQ and MPQC added, “Minerals Matter ambassadors are our industry role models. They are relatable to young people and prove that we welcome a diverse and inclusive workforce. Ours is a good news story and our 100 strong ambassador voices will be telling it throughout 2025 and beyond.”