The Retraining of Fossil Fuel Mining Area Workforce for Modern Industry (REMAKER) project should deliver key outcomes through collaboration among consortium partners, focusing on re-training courses and modules for the mining workforce facing job losses due to regulations and the decline of the fossil fuel industry. The main idea was to develop mechatronics re-training modules for Ida-Virumaa County in Estonia and the Silesian region in Poland, considering national education systems and regional industrial characteristics. Those re-training modules should comprise five courses covering modern industry topics, tailored for workers from the fossil fuel sector, with flexible distance learning options. The project results should be a joint effort of four consortium partners who bring complementary expertise in their field. Their collective skills ensure successful realization of project goals and widespread dissemination of results after project completion.
As part of the European Green Deal, the European Commission proposed in 2020 to raise the 2030 greenhouse gas emission reduction target to at least 55% compared to 1990. This requires action across sectors, including improved energy efficiency and increased renewable energy use. While this transition supports the European Union's (EU’s) climate-neutral goals, it poses challenges for countries like Estonia, where the Ida-Virumaa region relies heavily on oil shale mining and fossil fuel-based power plants. The shift away from fossil fuels may lead to job losses, as most workers were trained decades ago in industries with low automation. To address this, the project proposes re-training the affected workforce in mechatronics engineering, covering fields like electrical drives, power electronics, automation, robotics, and condition monitoring of industrial systems, all critical to modern industry. The consortium includes educational and research institutions experienced in engineering, with strong industry ties to ensure alignment with modern industrial needs. Partners from Estonia, Poland, Czechia, and Germany contribute expertise ensuring effective re-training for workers and supporting innovation in the industry.