The programme has been specifically tailored to meet the needs of the region, its residents and its largest employer. ZE PAK, which operates a number of power plants and lignite mines in the region, is the largest producer of brown coal in Poland, making it a key player in the just transition.
The programme has been developed through collaboration with the World Bank, local non-governmental organisations and Konin Regional Development Agency. The final version of the programme submitted for financing from the Just Transition Fund was spearheaded by trade unions representing ZE PAK Capital Group and ZE PAK’s management board.
A case of too many cooks?
Jobs after Coal already boasts 10 key partners, including Poznań’s district labour office, various other regional district labour offices, as well as private companies and associations specialising in supporting employment and entrepreneurship development. Together, these organisations are tasked with managing and implementing a substantial budget of over PLN 257 million (around EUR 60 million).
But while having a diverse range of partners brings different strengths to the table, there’s concern that the sheer number of bodies involved may drive up operational costs. This raises the question of whether a project of this scale will benefit from the participation of so many implementing partners.
Who does the programme serve?
One of the most impressive things about the programme is its broad group of potential beneficiaries, which includes not only current employees of ZE PAK at risk of losing their jobs, but also former employees laid off since 2018.
In addition, employees from related industries in the mining and energy sectors, as well as their family members, are eligible for assistance. But although current employees of ZE PAK are the programme’s primary target group, the numbers that have signed up so far are relatively small.
There are several reasons for this. First, workers that already have jobs are often reluctant to prepare for future unemployment. Second, ZE PAK’s mine and power plant outside Konin are expected to continue operating until at least 2026, if not longer, depending on market conditions and the political situation.
And third, the government has promised an attractive social security package for ZE PAK’s future job leavers, which could discourage employees from applying for the programme. That said, things are likely to change as we approach 2026 and as more employees start to consider the prospect of impending job losses.
Family and community not forgotten
For the time being, the programme is mainly benefitting former employees and their relatives. This approach not only supports the miners and engineers themselves, but also the entire community to which they belong.
Family support will be of particular importance, as these individuals may face greater challenges in the job market compared to those with transferable skills. The programme also offers professional development opportunities for women, including those from miners’ families and former employees of ZE PAK’s administrative and financial departments.
Despite the programme’s ambitions, recruitment remains the biggest challenge. Potential beneficiaries will need to be supplied with the right information in an effective way. But even that won’t guarantee interest.
Scepticism towards EU-financed programmes of this kind is also likely to be a factor, with some of the belief that they’re ineffective or a waste of money. Either way, those involved in running the programme have their work cut out if they’re to overcome these barriers and attract the 2,200 people they aim to support in the labour market.
Taking the personal touch
The goal of the programme is to provide assistance that goes above and beyond the standard services offered by labour offices. Specialised entities will offer a range of services, including individual counselling, vocational training, subsidised employment, and relocation allowances.
With a dedicated budget of up to PLN 150 000 (EUR 35 000) per person, each participant is first assigned a career counsellor to develop a personalised action plan. The programme then offers one of two paths: stable employment based on an employment contract or support in setting up and running an individual business or social enterprise.
Support will also be provided to existing social enterprises that decide to hire participants from the programme. In fact, this emphasis on social entrepreneurship, a sector just beginning to develop in Poland, is a welcome move and may help kickstart this relatively new field.
At the same time, there’ll be a focus on encouraging people to remain in the region. For many years now, municipalities in Eastern Wielkopolska have witnessed increasing migration to other regions of the country, particularly the big cities.
With the aim of retaining local talent, the organisers of Jobs after Coal are determined to get the message across that changing jobs doesn’t have to mean changing home. But only time will tell if this strategy will work. With recruitment for the programme having only just started in May, we’ll have to wait a little longer to assess the results.
Encouragingly, there are already several positive examples of beneficiaries who have decided to stay put in the region, including a former miner who now works as a barber and another who recently found employment in the basilica in Licheń.
Hope for a just transition
ZE PAK had almost 6,000 employees on its books in 2017, a figure that dropped to 2,700 in 2022. For many mining families, the primary breadwinners have already left the ZE PAK workforce to pursue jobs in other fields, giving reason for hope that the programme will be a success.
The Warsaw-based think-tank Instrat will monitor the outcomes of the programme, the effectiveness of both professional development paths on offer, and the level of employee satisfaction.
Jobs after Coal is set to run until June 2029, with a mid-term review planned for around mid-2026. This will provide an opportunity to assess the impact of the programme and its ability to adapt to what remain uncertain times for so many miners and their families.
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