Nearly thirty members and guests gathered at the Players Golf Club to hear Jack Berridge, Managing Director of the Institute of Quarrying give a talk entitled 'Education, Training and Competence - an IQ Vision of the Future'.

Jack explained how the industry had changed in the last twenty years. It was imperative for the Institute to recognise these changes, do something about it and decide what was needed in the next twenty years. He described the threats to the Institute as a result of new overseas owners who had little affinity with it, and who questioned the support for social activities. Trade associations such as the MPA were also extending their activities. Many other small Institutes were also disappearing and amalgamating with larger organisations.

He then went on to outline the opportunities for the Institute. Global groups needed professional managers. They also had a genuine commitment (and now a legal requirement) to education and training. There was also an increasing need for common international standards and transportable qualifications. The conclusion was that the opportunities outweighed the threats but only if the Institute acted quickly.

The Institute had prepared an action plan to promote themselves as a class leader of training and education materials, focusing on aggregates, asphalt, cement and concrete. This would require investment in new technologies such as 'e-learning'. In short the Institute wanted to aspire to set a 'Gold Standard'.

Jack described in detail the concept and benefits of e-learning using a demonstration of a crushing plant showing video clips, moving diagrams and photographs. He then gave a demonstration of a virtual quarry environment developed for the Institute by Derby University in 'Second Life'. This allows online modelling of quarry conditions in a risk free environment. A virtual quarry workshop has now been developed and will be introduced into the Diploma course next year. As some ex-DAPS students present said, this was all a far cry from those large brown envelopes which used to land on the doormat every couple of weeks!

Jack explained the opportunities in the international market and the introduction of an international quarry operations certificate. The first course started in March of this year with eleven candidates from Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He described the concept of 'Blended Training', a three-stage process of home study by e-learning, PowerPoint presentations for face-to-face reviews and post-course online assessment. A pilot project has been set up in Australia with two packages consisting of crushing and methods of working.

Jack concluded his talk by explaining the links with UK training partners such as MPQC, now based at Nottingham and the Corporate Professional Competence Scheme. He outlined its benefits to both employers, the Institute, branches and members.

A question and answer session ended a very comprehensive and in-depth talk on such a vital topic, with Eric Darlow giving the vote of thanks.