A skilled and highly trained inclusive and diverse workforce is paramount to safely operating quarries that produce the critical materials found in infrastructure projects. Unfortunately, many producers have difficulty hiring and retaining an adequate workforce in today’s labor market. The aggregates and industrial sand industries take pride in investing in their employees by providing attractive salaries, competitive benefits, robust training, support, and career development. Our industry’s average annual salary is over $75,000, and most employees spend their entire careers in the industry. NSSGA supports policies and funding from the federal government to train workers, increase the diversity of our workforce and ensure producers can access the skilled employees needed to continue producing the building blocks of America.

We support legislation that seeks to expand mine engineering and related fields at colleges and universities and develop vocational education programs supporting the mining industry. We also encourage Congress and the administration to continue its bipartisan support for programs that work with America’s veterans, active and reserve service members, and their spouses to find meaningful careers and employment opportunities. Finally, we urge Congress to examine and update our immigration laws and provide new opportunities to increase the legal workforce in the United States.

Ask anyone in the industry and they’ll tell you: this is a family business. The aggregates industry is not only essential for our society to thrive, it’s a great industry to be part of because the community is strong, passionate and dedicated. Not to mention, the average salary in the industry over $75,000. No matter what your background – from GED to PhD – there is a place for you in the aggregates family. Aggregate producers and the manufacturing and services companies that support the industry are located throughout the U.S. and can be found in all fifty states. With over 10,000 quarries in the U.S., there is a good chance you live close to a quarry you may not even know about – one that may be hiring. Aggregates are also about more than heavy trucks and crushing rock. The industry employs:

• HR professionals
• Accountants
• Engineers
• Environmental scientists
• Safety professionals
• Electricians
• Estimators
• Business professionals
• Chemists
• Sales professionals
• Equipment operators 
• Mechanics
• Communications and PR professionals
• Economists
• Office personnel
   

Aggregates are a career. No matter what field you are interested in, there is growth and a path up the ladder. There is no shortage of skills to learn and industry knowledge to gain. Many companies are also vertically integrated, meaning in addition to mining and producing aggregates, they also do asphalt paving or construction work. 

The world as we know it would not be possible without aggregates. From the roads we drive on to the building of our sustainable future – aggregates are essential. Take a look at some of the ways aggregates make our world sustainable and how the industry itself is improving sustainability without our gates.

• Aggregates in Action: Sustainability
• Sustainability Inside the Gates

MACC Tech - The Mining, Asphalt, Concrete and Construction Technology (MACC Tech) Program is a program aimed at high school juniors and seniors so they can earn a recognized credential and learn more about the broader construction industry, including aggregates. NSSGA is working to nationalize the MACC Tech program, which is currently available at Butler Tech, but soon to be implemented at more colleges and universities nationwide. If you have questions or are interested in supporting or participating in MACC Tech, please visit their website or contact NSSGA for more information. 
 

Education & Training Administration’s Registered Apprenticeship Program - Registered Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, receive progressive wage increases, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential.  Registered Apprenticeships are industry-vetted and approved and validated by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) or a State Apprenticeship Agency. NSSGA has partnered with the DOL’s Employment and Training Administration to work with members on Registered Apprenticeship programs. For more information, please visit their website or contact NSSGA for more information.