Employment

Performance indicators

• Employment levels: direct (GB) 38,050; indirect (GB) 50,220 (The derivation of these figures is set out in the appendices)

Current position

As with most industries, the employment levels per unit of product output is falling as technological frontiers are crossed. Nonetheless, the sector employs a very large number of people directly and supports many thousands of jobs indirectly, many in rural communities where other sources of income and employment may be limited.

The QPA has a long-established education programme which is designed to facilitate links between operational sites and local schools and colleges. In 2004, we began work on our Virtual Quarry website, which was part-funded from the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund.

The QPA has also contributed to a range of careers-related resources entitled Your Role in Rock and Your Role in Roads. In 2004, a pilot was conducted in Derbyshire to establish the most effective methods of promoting careers within the industry.

Aspirations

We aspire to be an industry of choice for prospective employees.