EXPRESS ASPHALT PLAYS ITS PART IN RAISING PROFILE OF CONSTRUCTION

Express Asphalt in Darwen, Lancashire, is playing its part in promoting the benefits of the quarrying and construction industry to local potential school leavers, by offering work experience to a student from Darwen Moorland High School.

Graham Yates, aged 15, a Year 10 student, spent two weeks with plant manager, Rick Harbour, during which time he learnt about the operation of the facility. Express Asphalt specialises in offering an asphalt collection service for building and construction projects, targeting local authorities, utility reinstatement contractors, local surfacing and construction companies and pavers in Darwen and around the Lancashire area. Graham also had the opportunity to tour a local quarry owned by Express Asphalt’s sister company, Bardon Aggregates, and to find out more about the career opportunities within quarrying and road contracting as a whole.

Express Asphalt, in Darwen, worked with the Lancashire Education Business Partnership on its work placement scheme, because it provides an effective matchmaking service - linking suitable companies to interested students.

Plant manager, Rick Harbour comments: “Working under the umbrella of our parent company, Aggregate Industries, we are committed to encouraging new recruits into the industry through our Futurepath initiative which aims to build links between sites, such as Darwen, and local schools to raise the profile of careers in the construction industry.

“Our work experience scheme has been running successfully for four years and aims to give students, who are considering their move after Year 11, an insight into the variety of jobs available within a quarrying company such as ours.

“Professional opportunities are varied at Aggregate Industries and cover such areas as: quarrying, civil, mechanical and industrial engineering, geology, environment, health & safety, finance, information technology, manufacturing, operations, sales, marketing and human resources.”

The Express Asphalt plant in Darwin employs five people and offers a fast and efficient asphalt collection service, producing a wide range of asphalt products including macadams, hot rolled asphalt, SMA and pre-coated chippings. It also provides a selection of merchanting products for sale, such as PPE, shovels and tarpaulins.

DECEMBER 2005