On September 11, the conference “Challenges of the mining and quarrying industry” took place in Lubin. The event reviewed two years of collaboration between KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., the Polish Copper Employers’ Association, and the Copper Personnel Education Centre under the Ore Mining Industry Skills Centre 4.0 project. Attendees included representatives from universities, secondary schools, human capital management experts, and professionals from the copper industry.
The Ore Mining Industry Skills Centre 4.0 (ISC) project has aimed to advance vocational training and introduce new knowledge and technology to the sector. The initiative has contributed to strengthening vocational education in mining.
“The conference is of great importance to us, and although it is of a summarising nature for the CPEC, I make no secret of the fact that we look forward to further cooperation and to using the potential of the Industry Skills Centre established in Lubin,” said Zbigniew Bryja, Vice President of the Management Board of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. for Development. “Our first employees have already had the opportunity to receive training in welding, automation, electrical safety and the operation of modern equipment used in mining. We believe that there will be many more of these tailor-made courses in the future,” he added.
As part of its activities, ISC 4.0 has delivered 28 training courses for young people, adults, and teachers over two years. In total, 318 participants have gained technical and digital skills relevant to today’s copper industry requirements. The program also organized conferences, seminars, study trips, and community meetings connecting education with industry needs. These events helped identify challenges facing both educators and employers while fostering stronger ties between schools and businesses.
Additionally, ISC has promoted key mining professions and assisted schools in adapting their curricula to match labor market demands. Its participation in educational events has facilitated connections between students seeking career advice and local industry representatives.
During this year’s conference, academic leaders and mining professionals discussed issues such as technological advancements and workforce management challenges—including generational shifts within companies as well as employer approaches toward neurodiversity.
“The programme of the conference is not an accident. We want those involved in HR or managing teams in our organisation to be aware of the challenges ahead, so that our people management policy is consistent with the expectations of younger generations who are entering, or will soon be entering, the labour market,” said Magdalena Lipińska, General Director for Human Resources Management at KGHM Polska Miedź S.A.
Located at the Copper Personnel Training Centre site in Lubin since 2023, ISC houses modern teaching laboratories spanning more than 1,000 square meters. Facilities include workshops for self-propelled mining machines (SMM), a conveyor belt system with control panel stations, a welding simulator workshop, mining automation labs, IT labs, and specialized areas for work-at-height instruction.
The Copper Ore Mining ISC 4.0 project received funding through Poland’s National Recovery Plan.
