Tarmac students praised at mineral products awards ceremony

The Institute of Quarrying (IQ) and Institute of Asphalt Technology (IAT) have commended high-performing students from the University of Derby Centre for Mineral Products at a joint awards ceremony – with praise for two Tarmac employees.

The annual IQ and IAT Student Awards recognise those studying higher education at the University of Derby Centre for Mineral Products. Each award is a celebration of an individual’s outstanding achievement and continuous commitment to the minerals industry.

Winners of the 2022 Student Awards accepted their prizes at an IQ Fellows Lunch in front of Fellows of the IQ and special guests. Viv Russell, IQ president, presented the mineral products students with their prizes alongside James Thorne, CEO of IQ. The asphalt students received their awards from Brian Downes, IAT president, accompanied by Lyle Andrew, executive director of IAT.

Among the winners were Tarmac’s Craig McCorquodale MIQ, senior technician, and Ben Clayton MIQ, engineering workshop supervisor.

Craig was presented with The Peter Preston Award, bestowed by the late Peter Preston, for Best UK Diploma Student, and a £200 prize. Being in a technical based role, Craig’s work ethic and dedication saw him achieve some of the highest marks ever seen from a non-operational student.

A Longcliffe Calcium Carbonates Award of Excellence was presented to Ben as one of the Best Performing Mineral Extractives Foundation Degree students, impressing tutors with his hard work throughout the first year of study.

Viv Russell FIQ, IQ president, said: “It has been a great pleasure to once again jointly host the Student Awards with the Institute of Asphalt Technology, reinforcing our close, cross-sector relationship and supporting the development of talent in our industries. All of those that have received prizes have gone above and beyond to achieve exceptional results in their studies at the University of Derby Centre for Mineral Products.”

Graeme Boylen, HR director for Tarmac, added: “Well done to Ben, Craig and to all of this year’s IQ and IAT Student Award winners. The IQ and IAT Student Awards showcase the incredible talent we have in the mineral products industry, and we are proud to see Ben and Craig recognised for their contribution to both the sector and to our business.”

The higher education qualifications, through the partnership with the Mineral Products Centre, are delivered by the University of Derby in partnership with IQ and IAT and go hand in hand with everyday operations in the mineral products industry.