Way to graduation certficate opens to mining apprentices

The image of miner with pick and shovel is the past. OKD mining company is building on the modernization of mining process and for its implementation efforts requires skilled and educated men. Therefore in the High School of Technology and Services in Karviná that is already for the third year preparing young mechanics and electricians for OKD mines, is newly introduced a new field of study from the next school year - the evening after graduate study: Operating equipment - operating engineer - mining operations. It will be designed for
apprentices, graduates in mechanical professions who want to improve their skills by increasing of secondary education.

"The new field of study will be opened on the base of amendment about the Cooperation Agreement between OKD and our school. It will be three years of evening study in the weekly range of three times six hours completed by graduation. Its graduates will be able to perform the jobs as engineers and mid-management in OKD mines, for which there is a demand. Graduation exams will have state-prescribed subjects, which is Czech language, mathematics and foreign language. There will be also professional examination composed from two parts, theoretical and practical," informed Ladislav Kováč the Deputy Director for theoretical teaching.

OKD Employees have been able to complete high school mining education within the post-secondary study in Mining and Mining Geology at the Secondary Industrial School in Karviná. As the name of this specialization suggests, condition for admission to this study is the ownership of high school diploma. Now the same opportunity is opening for miners who completed a three-year of mechanic apprenticeship. It is a great chance for all those who start working for the shaft after the apprenticeship, gained experience and now have ambitions to
advance in their career. Fresh graduates of apprenticeships can also use this option.

"One class with a capacity of thirty seats will be opened. We will accept prospective students without entrance examinations, at least this year" Kováč explained. He also added that members of the teaching stuff realize, that especially for OKD employees who walk to work every day, it will not be easy. Therefore, they are ready to provide all assistance for their study to be successfully finished. Support, including all legal study help is also guaranteed by OKD.

"We are pleased that our cooperation with OKD is so successfully developing. At the same time, we are pleased that we will prepare people for a particular profession, and not for unemployment offices. That we can help these people in their career growth and fulfillment of their efforts and goals," Kováč said.

Bohuslav Krzyžanek