When a family member told me about the position available at Levenseat, I jumped at the chance. I now work in the wash plant which is where crushed material is screened and then treated with water, a process that aims to remove any impurities. The purity and size of grain determines where the product is ultimately used – concrete, asphalt, construction, golf courses, football pitches etc.
The challenges involved in my job vary from day to day, but it’s this variety that I really like about the job. I have to make sure that any issues are spotted well in advance before they become a major issue and cause production downtime.
I had been doing the job for almost a year when I was asked whether I’d be interested in doing any further study to help progress my career. Well, it was simply an offer I couldn’t refuse! So I’m now enrolled in my first year of the Foundation Degree in Mineral Extractives Technology course at the University of Derby.
The course is great because it teaches you about the challenges that other people in the industry face. Understanding what management, engineers and site fitters have to do gives you a wider perspective about what it takes to keep a steady production going whilst keeping everyone safe as this is the number one priority.
Once I've completed the course, I'd like to move into a management position and gain wider experiences to develop my career. I'd really like to move abroad and work for our parent company in Canada or the USA.
If anyone is thinking about whether the quarrying industry is right for them I say go for it. There is so much to learn and there are good training programmes and courses on offer. Companies know they benefit by supporting you through the training but you also benefit as a person and you will find that the industry will open many doors for you.
