Coalville company Aggregate Industries has developed a first-of-its-kind vocational qualification designed to equip technical staff with the knowledge and practical skills to develop their career in the construction materials field.

The new MPQC Level 4 Diploma in Aggregate and Asphalt Technical Activities (DAATA) has been purposefully developed to support individuals undertaking technical functions specifically in asphalt or aggregate operations, so they can demonstrate their knowledge and competence.

The two-year course covers all aspects of aggregate and asphalt production and quality control testing and develops knowledge of the technical standards, specifications, quality management systems and other customer service requirements that apply.

It is a move that is part of the Bardon Hill-based company's continued commitment to upskilling the next generation.

This latest activity supports Aggregate Industries' Technical Career Development Roadmap, a comprehensive career development platform designed to empower technical colleagues to advance their professional journey across the business.

Phil Sabin, technical director at Aggregate Industries, said: "The construction industry is a broad and dynamic field that offers a wide range of career opportunities, from hands-on roles to leadership positions. Yet, from our experience, many of our technical team establish a solid foundation in materials technology, but too few use that grounding to pursue more senior technical roles or opportunities outside of this field.

"Our new DAATA course has been designed to equip technical staff with the knowledge and practical skills to take their career to the next step.

"What's great is each course member has a senior technical team as mentor and assessor to ensure they have the support and training necessary to complete the course as well as opportunities for secondment to experience parts of our aggregate or asphalt operations that they may not be familiar with. This development is in line with our concerted commitment to helping our colleagues develop their career in the construction materials field."

Launched in 2021, the inaugural two-year DAATA course is nearing its completion for the first cohort. A further ten candidates are already signed up to follow their lead when the next course commences in October this year. Great steps in our aim to become the first professionally qualified field technician team in the industry.

Phil added: "The challenge has been immense through the Covid period for the five students partaking in the inaugural course but they overcame the challenges and and I'm very much looking forward to presenting their awards later this year. I would like to take the opportunity to commend the effort, dedication and sheer hard work each student has put into achieving this qualification and I hope they may inspire other colleagues to take a similar path in developing their career with us."