QPNI – Laverne Bell - Proskills

Quarry Products Association, Northern Ireland
Laverne Bell
Quarry Products Association NI (QPANI) is the principle trade association for companies involved in supplying
crushed rock and sand and gravel, asphalt, ready-mixed concrete, agricultural lime, industrial lime, mortar,
recycled materials and construction and quarrying plant. Members of the QPANI produce over 90% of
Northern Ireland’s primary aggregates, as well as a major proportion of other
construction materials such as asphalt, ready mixed concrete, recycled and
secondary aggregates, lime and silica sand. QPANI works to protect members
licence to operate and in key areas of health, safety and the environment.
Promoting and sharing best practice across the industry is central work
areas, along with engagement with stakeholders.
Problem
“Developing in house
training is a sound
starting point to
positively affect the
learning and
development challenges
faced by industry”
Whilst QPANI has no specific strategy or policy on training, the organisation is
very keen to develop this area under the management of Regional Director Gordon
Best. The organisation offers a wide range of member services and as giving presentations and training
sessions on matters as wide ranging as Biodiversity Management, health & safety briefings and how a quarry
operates. These sessions are generally run by Laverne Bell, QPANI’s Biodiversity/Geodiversity Officer, who is
keen to develop her own skills portfolio at the same time as able to develop training and presentation skills.
This is underpinned by a desire to provide a first class service to members. Laverne says “I want to learn how
to deliver training that is more exciting and creative; learn how to motivate the industry, especially on key
emotive subjects such as environment protection and management”
Solution
QPANI are key contributors to Proskills work in Northern Ireland and were therefore very enthusiastic from the
outset when NI Director, Paul Coffey suggested working on a strategy to develop a network of accredited
trainers throughout the Proskills footprint. Access to high quality industry relevant training is a challenge
throughout Proskills sectors and developing in house training is a sound starting point to positively affect the
learning and development challenges faced by industry.

Proskills procured funding from DEL to organise the running of Train the Trainer courses in Northern Ireland.
These would be attended by individuals drawn from employers in Proskills sectors, who wish to develop skills
in delivering training sessions to colleagues, thus establishing a cohort of accredited in house trainers to assist
employers to deliver training in a high quality yet cost effective way.
Laverne Bell attended the first of these courses, which was a three-day intensive Institute of Leadership and
Management endorsed level three award.
Benefits
Laverne found completing the course extremely useful. “The entire course was beneficial,” she said. It was a
great networking opportunity, meeting individuals drawn from the various Proskills sectors and learning from
their personal and company experiences. Laverne felt that following the course she would be in a strong
position to write new training workshops, putting her new skills to work to deliver more original sessions that
ensured a return on objectives. This will not only strengthen the offer to QPANI members but has potential to
enhance and develop relationships with new and existing stakeholders.
As Laverne is now an accredited trainer, the possibility is now being explored of contracting out her services to
member organisations seeking to up skill in the areas of environmental management and biodiversity.
Gordon Bell, Regional Director of QPANI said “We always find working with Proskills beneficial, and I am very
content that it was a highly productive use of Laverne’s time to attend the course. It has increased her
personal confidence in this area and will reap benefits both within our own organisation and most importantly,
for our members.”