Education in the Extractive Industry

Extractive Industries Forum Conducted by Box Hill Institute.

Jane Sims, Executive Manager, Industry Relationships and Services for Box Hill Institute provides a report on the recently held Extractive Industries Forum.

Key stakeholders in Victoria’s Extractive Industries came together recently at an industry forum conducted by Box Hill Institute at their new state-of-the-art Integrated Technology Hub training facility.

Industry executives, members of the state government’s Earth Resources branch, suppliers, consultants and educators met to discuss the industry’s current training needs and to showcase the current crop of training programs currently on offer at Box Hill Institute.

John Mitas, Victorian Chief Inspector of Mines & Quarries and General Manager, Earth Resources Regulation for the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, the Construction Materials Processors Association’s (CMPA’s) President Garry Cranny, Dr. Elizabeth Gibson and Gavin Moreira and Rodney Krins from the Institute of Quarrying Australia (IQA), were among a number of industry guests.

Box Hill Institute’s CEO, Norman Gray AM, reaffirmed the Institute’s focus on industry engagement and the extractive industry in particular to deliver relevant training. He acknowledged the vital role the industry plays in the lives of Victorians and in the base that state development is built on.

John Mitas gave the key note presentation and reflected on his student days at Box Hill Institute where he undertook his Diploma of Quarry Management and the industry changes since then.

“The increased program flexibility nowadays offer not only full qualifications but skillsets and short professional development programs. These changes have been in response to regulatory and industry changes.”

“There needs to be an increased focus on the prevention of critical incidents and for community awareness around environmental and sustainability issues,” Mr Mitas said.

The forum heard from Box Hill Institute’s Extractive Industry specialist trainers, who between them have more than 70 years combined experience. Employing trainers who have worked in and understand the industry means the courses reflect the current thinking and issues facing today’s extractive industry operators.

This approach is evident in the myriad of ways training is delivered including: the issuance of a Box Hill Institute competency card for participants as proof of the competencies learned; site visits to places such as Conundrum Holdings’ Northern Quarry and Holcim’s Oaklands Junction, where students can observe current industry best practice, and referencing across sites where participants can gain a broader understanding of the whole quarrying sector.

Box Hill Institute students also benefit from an innovative and holistic creative approach to planning, designing and operating a ‘virtual quarry’, resulting in a comprehensive understanding of the breadth of responsibility and challenges current quarry management face.

The intrinsic nature of leadership capability within management and the need for its development through training was featured and guests also viewed a testimonial video from a recent graduate Brian Arnett.

Apart from the four qualifications offered, the full suite of current product and service capability to the sector was showcased.

Industry stakeholders had the opportunity to highlight their challenges and issues regarding training. The main emphasis was in the increasing need for flexibility and an understanding that there is often the requirement for timely training in skillsets.

Box Hill Institute offers accredited Quarrying and Extractive Industry courses, including Certificates II, III, and IV, along with Diploma and Advanced Diplomas.

Jane Sims, Box Hill Institute’s Executive Manager Industry Relationships and Services, emphasised that the Institute is keen to respond to the training needs of the sector in any way possible.

“The delivery of on-site skillsets is always available. We realise in today’s modern business climate that cohesive partnerships are key to providing the training your industry needs.”

“Our success in this area is predicated on the fact that we are adaptive and responsive to your situation and requirements and we pride ourselves on being flexible and receptive to give our students the best possible start in this vital multi-million dollar industry,” she said.

For further information on Box Hill Institute’s Quarrying and Extractive Industry courses, please visit boxhill.edu.au or call Jane Sims, Executive Manager, Industry Relationships and Services on (03) 9286 9757

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