Alstom Konstal Expands Cooperation with Technical Universities in Poland

Alstom is strengthening its cooperation with technical universities in Poland to prepare the relevant railway skills for the future. Since its acquisition 20 years ago, Alstom Konstal plant in Chorzów has turned from a sub-component supplier to a metro competence centre within the Alstom Group and also a leading unit for the design and manufacturing of technically-advanced trains. Such trains, using the aluminium technology, have never been designed nor manufactured before in Poland and require the recruitment of specialized and highly qualified engineers.

During May this year, Alstom Konstal experts gave a series of lectures entitled “Managing a Company in the Railway Industry” to 50 students of the Faculty of Transport of the Silesian University of Technology in Katowice. The lectures were given by managers of the Technical Production Preparation and Product Engineering departments.

The details of work of a designer, process engineer and configuration coordinator were presented during the lectures. State-of-the-art tools and technologies used in everyday work by Alstom Konstal employees were shown. As part of cooperation with the university the selected students also had an opportunity to familiarise themselves with currently manufactured vehicles and modern technical facilities.

“Projects in progress related to contracts such as metro for Riyadh and Dubai as well as Intercity class trains for the Dutch national carrier have set a new task for Alstom Konstal and the Product Engineering Department: developing new qualifications among engineers. Hence the natural and close cooperation with the Silesian University of Technology and Cracow University of Technology. Alstom Konstal hires the best graduates of specialised programmes once they have completed studies and internship at our company”, said Tomasz Szedel, the Director of the Product Engineering Department, who inaugurated the lectures.

Under a Partnership Agreement signed with the Silesian University of Technology, Alstom Konstal has been offering graduates of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering a chance to complete a six-month internship, with an option of employing the best interns.

Alstom Konstal is also strengthening cooperation with the Cracow University of Technology. A group of 26 students who study Industrial Design had the opportunity to see production halls and attend a lecture on the work of the Product Engineering Department and its cooperation with the Design & Style Department on projects in progress.