Fourteen employees of Winstone Aggregates were recently presented with a National Diploma in Extractive Industries (Management) Surface Extraction Level 5, the pinnacle qualification in extractive industry training.

The diplomas were presented during an awards evening, part of Winstone Aggregates' annual conference.

Steve Dohnt, HR and Safety Manager for Winstone Aggregates, said that it was a fantastic achievement by each person presented with the diploma as it meant they now had an internationally recognised qualification in the quarrying industry.

"At Winstone Aggregates we have a goal to raise the standard of skills, because this in turn will lift the overall professional standard. We encourage employee progression through the industry training pathways from the Level 2 introductory certificate through operator, supervision and management national certificates and diploma qualifications".

"It is pleasing to see that a number of the employee trainees already have other tertiary qualifications, including B.Eng, but want to do the industry training national qualifications because they are relevant to the skills needed in the workplace," he said.

The National Diploma is one of a suite of national qualifications offered by EXITO (Extractive Industries Training Organisation), the standards setting body for the Extractive Industry. Industry training is based on an 'earn while you learn' philosophy where training takes place mostly 'on-the-job. This is ideal for employees who can achieve progression opportunities without loss of earnings, while employers reap the benefits of an upskilled workforce.

EXITO's CEO, Kevin Walker, said that the National Diploma, with 300 credits, required a significant investment in time and effort, so it is a credit to all who have achieved it, especially within a three-year timeframe.

"With the National Government looking closely at New Zealand's mineral wealth (estimated at a gross in-ground value in excess of $140 billion) as a key to raising our living standards, there will be an increasing focus on both the extractive industry and associated skill levels to ensure it can keep pace with the investment that will be put into mineral exploration and extraction," he said.

EXITO's qualifications are developed in partnership with key representatives from industry under a Sector Advisory Group structure to ensure that they are tailored to the specific needs of industry and the companies within it.

Above L to R: Bernie Chote: General Manager, Steve Dohnt: Human Resource Manager, Ross Twidle: Puni Sand Plant, Keith Barber: Hunua Quarry, Tony Dowd: Otaki Quarry, Gary Stewart: Whitehall Quarry, Keith Squires: Otaika Quarry, Rob Smith: Hunua Quarry, Mary Wilson: Industry Training Advisor EXITO, Marcus Thomas: Whangaripo Quarry, Kevin Walker: CEO EXITO, Selwyn Dodd: Otaika Quarry, Lance Gosling: Flat Top Quarry, Rob Paddison: Belmont Quarry, Kurt Hine: Puketutu Island Quarry, Geoff Cooke: Yaldhurst Quarry, Tony Carpenter: Three Kings Quarry, Christina Freeman: Penrose Office.