At Kemek, we believe that our people are our greatest asset. We are committed to creating opportunities for employees to grow and develop new skills. By investing in training, education, and mentorship, we help our employees reach their full potential while strengthening the future of our business.
We also recognise that our success depends on having the right people in the right roles. That is why we actively seek out talented individuals who share our values and potential, whether they are already part of our team or joining us for the first time. By attracting, developing, and retaining great people, we continue to build a better future for both our customers, employees, and our business. The stories below are two examples of this.
STEPHEN O’REILLY: GROWING A CAREER THROUGH LEARNING AND OPPORTUNITY
I have always had an interest in farming, so after finishing secondary school, I pursued a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Agriculture. The degree provided a solid foundation in agriculture, environmental management, and sustainable land use, while developing valuable technical and problem-solving skills.
After graduating, I spent time in New Zealand, gaining practical experience and broadening my understanding of the agricultural sector. Returning home in 2021, I established an agricultural contracting service for local farmers. While I enjoyed the work, I was eager to explore new challenges and career opportunities.
In 2023, I joined Kemek in a temporary role. What began as a short-term opportunity introduced me to an industry I knew little about but quickly found both interesting and rewarding. As I became more familiar with the business, I recognised the potential for career growth.
Kemek encouraged me to enrol in the Transport Operations and Commercial Driving Apprenticeship, a new programme in Ireland designed to train HGV drivers. The apprenticeship combined academic study with practical workplace experience. One day each week was dedicated to online learning with the Technological University of the Shannon, while the remaining four days were spent working alongside experienced drivers.
The combination of classroom learning and hands-on experience allowed me to apply new knowledge directly to my role while gaining a broader understanding of the transport sector.
What stood out most throughout the programme was the support I received. Experienced colleagues were always willing to share their knowledge and provide guidance, helping me build both confidence and technical expertise.
I went on to become a full-time Driver with Kemek, who subsequently provided me with ADR training. ADR training sets the standards for the safe transportation of hazardous materials, enabling drivers to transport these goods while complying with strict safety and legal requirements.
One of the biggest surprises for me was discovering the wide range of opportunities available within the quarrying sector, an industry I had never previously considered. The apprenticeship allowed me to earn a nationally recognised qualification while building a rewarding new career.
Looking back, accepting temporary work with Kemek was one of the best decisions I have made. It introduced me to a completely different industry and career path. My journey began with an interest in agriculture, but it has led to a fulfilling career in commercial driving within the quarrying sector.
The training, support, and development opportunities I have received have played a significant role in my progression. They have shown me that with the right attitude, a willingness to learn, and support from your employer, there are many paths to a successful career.
A few years ago, I would never have imagined myself working in transport operations and commercial driving. Today, I have a recognised qualification, valuable practical experience, and a clear career path ahead of me. It proves that sometimes the best opportunities are the ones you least expect.
Stephen O’Reilly (left) and Ciaran McCann (right).
CIARAN MCCANN: A CAREER BUILT ON OPPORTUNITY, LEARNING AND CHALLENGE
When I completed my National Diploma in Construction and Civil Engineering in 1998, I did not fully appreciate where a career in the Mineral Extractives Industry would take me. Looking back over the last 27 years, I can honestly say it has been a rewarding journey filled with opportunities, challenges, continuous learning, and experiences that have taken me around the world.
My introduction to the industry began in 1999 when I joined McCann Drilling Ltd. as a surveyor. Like many people starting their careers, I learned quickly that the classroom is only the beginning. Through extensive in-house training, I became involved in quarry and rock-face surveying for blasting operations, while also gaining hands-on experience assisting with drilling and maintaining air-track drill rigs.
One of the greatest strengths of the extractive industry is its willingness to develop people. I developed practical skills and technical knowledge that allowed me to complete my Shotfiring and Explosives Supervisor Certificates in 2001.
Those early years taught me an important lesson that I still share with younger people considering a career in the industry today: there are many pathways available, and progression often comes through a combination of formal qualifications, practical experience, and mentorship.
I continued in drill and blast operations until 2006, when I was offered the role of Contracts Manager with Rocklift Ltd. in Ireland. This provided a completely different perspective on the industry. Managing drill and blast contracts across quarrying and civil engineering projects allowed me to develop leadership, planning and project management skills while working with a diverse range of clients and teams.
After six years in that role, a new opportunity emerged on the other side of the world. In 2012, my family and I relocated to Australia, where I joined Action Drill and Blast as a Drill and Blast Specialist and Shotfirer.
The move opened the door to projects on a scale I had never previously experienced. Over the following years, I worked across multiple sectors including civil engineering, iron ore, coal, gold, and nickel mining operations. The experience reinforced something that many people outside the industry may not realise; extractive industries are incredibly diverse. The skills you develop can create opportunities across different commodities, environments and even continents.
In 2016, I had the opportunity to return home and join Kemek. Since then, the company has continued to support my professional development, enabling me to complete both a Diploma in Mineral Extractives and a Degree in Mineral Extractives through the University of Derby.
This highlights another aspect of the industry that deserves greater recognition. Career development does not stop once you begin working. The mineral extractives sector actively encourages lifelong learning, providing opportunities to gain new qualifications, broaden your expertise and advance professionally throughout your career.
Ten years on with Kemek, and three decades since I first entered the industry, I still enjoy coming to work. What has kept me motivated is the fact that no two days are ever the same. Even when working on the same site, every project presents different challenges, conditions, and objectives. The work requires technical knowledge, careful planning, teamwork, and a commitment to safety, while increasingly incorporating new technologies and innovative approaches like drones, photogrammetry, design software, and innovative measurement equipment. Working in the Quarrying Industry as an Explosive Supervisor is a challenging role that requires attention to detail to ensure that Safety Procedures are adhered to daily, but job satisfaction is delivered in a short time frame with a successful blast.
For young people considering their future careers, I would encourage them to look beyond outdated perceptions of the extractive sector. Today’s industry is modern, highly skilled, technologically advanced, and essential to everyday life.
The materials produced through Quarrying and Mining are fundamental to the infrastructure we rely on, the homes we build and the renewable energy transition that will shape our future.
More importantly, the Extractive Industry offers genuine opportunities for people who are willing to learn and develop. Whether your interests lie in engineering, surveying, geology, environmental management, operations, technology, project management or specialist fields such as drill and blast, there are pathways available to build a successful and fulfilling career.
Reflecting on my own journey, from a young surveyor in 1999 to where I am today, I am grateful for the opportunities, support and experiences the industry has provided. It has allowed me to work alongside talented people, gain qualifications, travel internationally and build a career that remains both challenging and rewarding.
The Extractive Industry has given me far more than a job. It has given me a profession, a lifelong learning journey and a career that continues to inspire me. For the next generation entering the workforce, I believe it offers the same opportunity and much more.
