Quarry Manager Trainee Review
at Ibstock
Degree Apprenticeship
Material and Mineral Engineering, Data Analysis, Environmental Science
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
3.7 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
-
Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
3.4/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
As an apprentice working as a managerial trainee, my role and work changes somewhat. I look at daily and weekly invoices and send them to the relevant people at our factories. I'm also tasked with analysing stockpile recipes and other data via excel and check my boss's work. I may also create new data as I undertake material testing and sampling. I often visit other factories and company offices for meetings and site tours. This gives me a greater breadth of understanding in terms of production and long-term planning. I have also undertaken training on a John Deere 6M Agricultural Tractor as a form of site inspections and transport. I deliver morning briefings and support my operatives in their tasks. Recently, I have been appointed as Secretary to the HCTa North Staffordshire Branch Committee; this means I also coordinate events within my industry.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I feel lucky as someone so young to have so much responsibility and authority. I enjoy not doing the same thing day after day. I like interacting with many different people and have greatly improved on this.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
I have developed my understanding of Regulations and the Law, as well as learned practical and communication skills. I have been trained as a fire marshal and in Safe Lock Out Procedure. I can drive an agricultural tractor.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
I am worried that my program feels too hands-off. i recently sat a meeting to discuss the potential structure of my program having started early September 2024 (It now being April 2025), and its still being developed. I'm unsure if I'm spending my time wisely or if I should be pushing to do more different things. I feel there is a lack of clear direction.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
My employers give me passive support. I see very little from Ibstock's directors or other managers, as i work out off the way within the Quarry. I would like to understand the greater business as a whole. My boss and the site operatives are supportive and good to work with.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
As my training is primarily online; the lack of face to face learning is difficult. The support i do get is great and effective. My tutors are learned and understand the industry well.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
Much of the geological information I've been taught was already taught within my Geology A-Level. Industry specific knowledge such as regulations and its history are completely new to me as a 20yr old. I feel like my performance has improved from the large amount of Health and Safety focused Training.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
CPD (Continued Perfectional Development) Events are common and made accessible by my team and external bodies such as IQ and the HCTa. I'm unsure if leisure activities are available to me.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Ibstock to a friend?
Yes
Why?
As a young person i feel it's difficult to find fulfilling work that can lead to a career. Ibstock offers that opportunity.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Ibstock?
Companies make Apprenticeship programs competitive and so its difficult to stand out. Be confident in your interests and passions. Follow your interests and skills and your bound to find fulfilling work. Temper this with modesty and forethought.
