On September 9, 75 students from the Cherokee County School District Institute of Innovation had the opportunity to step outside the classroom and into the world of aggregates with a hands-on visit to Reeves Construction Company’s Blacksburg Quarry.

Hosted in partnership with the South Carolina Aggregates Association, the quarry tour gave students an inside look at how an aggregate operation works while introducing them to the wide range of skills and career opportunities that keep the industry moving.

Connecting Classroom Skills to Careers

The students participating in the tour represent a variety of career pathways, including welding, machine tools, HVAC, automotive technology, and electrical.

While these programs may not immediately be associated with the aggregates industry, each represents skills that are valuable across aggregate operations. From maintaining and repairing equipment to operating machinery and keeping facilities running safely and efficiently, skilled professionals play an important role in every part of the industry.

The quarry tour provided an opportunity for students to see those connections firsthand and begin thinking about how the skills they are developing today could translate into a career in aggregates.

A Hands-On Look at Quarry Operations

The day began with a safety briefing before students headed into the quarry to see the operation and processing plant firsthand. Seeing the equipment, processes, and people behind an active quarry helped bring the industry to life in a way that a classroom presentation simply cannot.

Students also had the chance to get up close with heavy equipment and put their skills to the test on an equipment simulator, giving them an interactive introduction to some of the technology used throughout the industry.

These experiences are an important part of career exploration. By stepping into an operating quarry, students can begin to understand not only what the aggregates industry produces, but also the many different roles and skill sets required to make an operation successful.

Building Connections for the Future

Workforce development is about more than introducing students to a particular industry. It is about creating opportunities for students to explore careers, understand how their education connects to the workplace, and see possibilities they may not have considered before.

For the aggregates industry, those connections are especially valuable. Aggregate operations rely on professionals across a wide range of disciplines, including mechanics, welders, electricians, equipment operators, technicians, engineers, environmental professionals, and many others.

Programs like the Blacksburg Quarry tour help make those opportunities more visible while creating meaningful connections between students, educators, employers, and workforce partners.

SCAA is proud to support experiences that give students a closer look at the people, skills, technology, and career pathways that make the aggregates industry possible.

Thank You to Our Partners

An experience like this takes collaboration, and SCAA is grateful to everyone who contributed their time and resources to make the day possible.

A special thank you goes to SCAA Workforce Development Committee Chair Emily Talbert and Co-Chair Salley Lewis; the Reeves Construction Company staff and volunteers; Sara Neil-Spencer with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce; Spartanburg Community College; and Blanchard Machinery.

We also appreciate Seth Fargher with Construction Video Pros for capturing the experience through photography.

Together, industry, education, and workforce partners are helping students see what’s possible beyond the classroom and creating opportunities to build the future workforce of South Carolina’s aggregates industry.

The future of aggregates starts with introducing the next generation to what’s possible.