Recently Michael Ripley, North West Aggregates Operations Manager, attended the University of Derby’s Foundation Degree student’s poster presentation event.

Cemex UK currently has four students studying the Foundation Degree in Mineral Extractives at The University of Derby. Our students are mature students who hold full time positions within the company. They attend a number of study weekends throughout the term and have to carry out assignments throughout the academic year as part of a correspondence course. Their workload is quite large considering they all work long hours in the quarry, and it requires a lot of commitment to complete the three years of study.

Mick found the sessions really interesting, with groups being formed from Foundation Degree students and Higher apprentices. The students were mixed up from the different companies and various types of businesses.

Each group had to randomly select pre-determined topic relevant to the industry and design an industry poster which was on display. Topics included Recruitment and retention, Employee engagement, Sustainability in the industry, Mental Health, Diversity, Quarry Digitalisation, Leadership, Menopause and Prevent and British values. Guests were invited to discuss the poster and hold a discussion with the group before completing a score card for each group.

Commenting on the event Mick said: “It was evident that all four of our students, (Daniel Wynn, Trainee Quarry Manager – Raynes, Philip Brewer, AQM Halkyn, Matthew Brown, QM Cromwell, Jamie Shaw, Trainee Quarry Manager – Dove Holes) had been involved in the teamwork preparing the poster and contributing to the discussions. They represented themselves and Cemex in a very positive manner.”

Photo: University of Derby website