OKD signs agreement to start a GCSE-level mining education project

Starting next year, young overseers, U/G mechanics and preparation mechanics for OKD mines will be preparing for their jobs at the Secondary School of Technology and Services (SŠTaS) at Karviná. An agreement on establishing a four-year study course at GCSE level in the area of mining machinery and equipment, with 2012/2013 as the first school year, was signed on 3 May at Karviná by OKD Chief HR Officer Radim Tabášek and SŠTaS Director Iva Sandriová. Currently the school prepares general machinery and equipment mechanics, and its current curriculum will be extended to include a new study course focused on mining machinery and equipment and comprising mining-related subjects.

The meeting of the representatives of OKD and the secondary vocational school at Karviná on the occasion of the signature of the agreement was also attended by Deputy Chief HR Officer of OKD Libor Dürrer and SŠTaS Deputy Directors Svatoslava Papeschová, Oldřich Skupin and Ladislav Kováč. As stated by Libor Dürrer, the new study course will fill the gap between the preparation of apprentice miners at the secondary schools of Karviná and Havířov and the university-level studies at the VŠB – Technical University in Ostrava.

The development of learning opportunities in mining education may be extended by opening evening GCSE courses for miners with practical experience who wish to extend their education. At present, mining can be studied at the GCSE level in two-year correspondence courses at the Secondary Technical School at Karviná, for which a GCSE from a school with a different focus is required for enrolment.

“GCSE-level evening learning courses in the field of mining is an idea which still needs to be developed. It would give miners an opportunity for further qualification enhancement and professional growth”, said Dürrer.

The Secondary School of Technology and Services at Karviná, which continues the tradition of the miners’ school of the Důl 1. Máj Mine, was the first school two years ago to resume the apprentice-level education of future miners. Forty-eight prospective U/G mechanics and twenty-four U/G electricians are currently preparing for their jobs in the first and second year classes of the new study course.
Starting next year, an opportunity for training to become a U/G mechanic or electrician will also be offered by the Secondary School Havířov-Šumbark. OKD signed an agreement with this school in January this year.

Bohuslav Krzyžanek