After a successful transformation: RAG is training again
In recent decades, RAG Aktiengesellschaft, Essen/Germany, has actually only known one direction: closure of shafts, socially acceptable staff reductions. In this context, the company also had to discontinue its training activities at the end of 2018. Until then, RAG had given over 100,000 young people a career perspective. The company has now completed its strategic realignment from a former coal producer to a responsible shaper of the post-mining era. The company needs experts for this demanding job again. And it will also be providing training again from 2025 (Figure 1). Peter Schrimpf, CEO of RAG: “This is a clear signal. We have mastered the company’s transformation process and are looking to the future with optimism. And we want to shape the future with young people again.”
The company’s mission is to improve the quality of life in mining regions – day after day. In doing so, RAG acts responsibly towards people, the environment, the climate and finances. The tasks are demanding: They involve securing mining sites and developing former mining land into sites for the future and, of course, the perpetual task of mine water management. This involves intelligent solutions for making increasing use of the potential of mine water. And it involves operating the pumps in an environmentally friendly and efficient manner. RAG aims to become CO2 neutral by 2030.
The company applies outstanding specialist and expert knowledge from various disciplines to accomplish these tasks sustainably. The company currently employs around 600 people. However, many of them will retire in the next few decades. RAG is therefore already focusing on recruiting activities again – around 20 new employees from various fields have already been hired. Schrimpf: “And since we ourselves know best what we need, we now want to offer young people exciting prospects with a solid education.”
“It is important to us that young people also start their careers in an optimal environment,” says Susanne Hardies, Chairwoman of the RAG Group Works Council. “In mining, one thing has always been true: You can rely on each other, both above and below ground, and for all generations,” says Hardies. Mining is associated with a sense of responsibility, reliability, commitment, solidarity and cooperation. “We want the new apprentices in the post-mining era to experience this too!”
Of course, the retraining programmes have also changed with the company’s realignment. Particular emphasis should be placed here on one occupation that is certainly not an everyday occurrence in the field of training and which also shows how exciting the topics of post-mining are at RAG. This is the occupation:
Environmental technologist for wastewater management
During the training, the focus is on the maintenance and servicing of systems, pumps and machines – including electrical engineering work – at RAG’s water management sites. The training offers insights into monitoring the rise of mine water using RAG’s modern control centre. It also covers water treatment and processing, as well as the analysis and evaluation of water samples. Trainees also learn how to handle raw materials, auxiliary materials and hazardous substances. In addition, the training offers insights into sustainable energy generation and efficient energy management.
Further apprenticeships will be offered in the following areas:
Digitalisation management assistant
Here, apprentices will find modern IT in an exciting company. The young people support the further development of digital business processes. They determine and coordinate the need for new and innovative IT solutions. Together with the specialist departments, they take care of data/IT security and data protection measures and ensure compliance with them. The focus is on the digital transformation of the company in a digital society.
Office management assistant
During their training, apprentices support the commercial and technical areas of the company and learn everything about the processes in an office. They communicate with internal and external partners, organise appointments, conduct correspondence, conduct research and create presentations. They learn how to use various digital applications. During the training, the focus is on specialising in two of the four main areas: “Order Control and Coordination”, “Commercial Control and Monitoring”, “Human Resources” and “Public Relations”.
Training starts in August 2025, with applications accepted from mid-September 2024. Further information is available on the website: www.rag.de/ausbildung. (RAG/Si.)
