Aggregate Industries strengthen university link

IN a new initiative aimed at strengthening the links between Aggregate Industries and the University of Leicester, the Markfield-based company has announced plans to sponsor students at the University through a number of bursaries, which will be awarded annually.

The students will also be offered the chance to complete work experience with Aggregate Industries during the summer months and will be encouraged to form strong links with the company when seeking advice and when considering final-year projects.

Aggregate Industries group chief executive, Bill Bolsover, and David Hopkins, the company’s director of geology, visited the University’s Department of Geology on 8 May to present the first bursary awards to 11 geology students.

The students were chosen following a pre-selection questionnaire and a one-day visit to the company’s head office, as well as taking part in a real-life team project.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr Bolsover, said that although the bursaries would specifically be given to students in the geology department, Aggregate Industries were not simply looking for graduates to work as geologists.

‘A geology degree is a good grounding for a career in our industry and geologists commonly enter our company via the management training scheme, giving a real opportunity to reach all levels,’ he said. ‘The course offered by the University of Leicester is well recognized as a good, practical course in geology producing graduates with a strong industry bias.’

Prof. Mike Lovell, head of geology at the University, added: ‘We are delighted that Aggregate Industries have decided to support our students through this initiative. These bursaries further strengthen our links with industry, and through this link to Aggregate Industries will provide our students with excellent opportunities to work with a major employer of geological graduates.’

Students from the department have also voiced their enthusiasm for the collaboration. Ryan Bartlett said: ‘I think it’s great that the University has such excellent links with multinational companies such as Aggregate Industries,’ while Nicola Clark said it was an educating experience that had introduced new prospects for the future.