Future Growth Sector Technology Re- and Upskilling... Cultivating Customized Talent for Secondary Batteries

[K-Construction, New Challenge]
POSCO E&C Accelerates Talent Development for 5 Major New Businesses
Overseas Site Construction Skilled Worker Training Program Underway

POSCO E&C, together with employees across the entire group, is advancing various new businesses such as securing the hydrogen business value chain, establishing offshore wind farms, and green remodeling applying eco-friendly construction technologies. At the same time, it is accelerating the cultivation of talent in future growth sectors for the five major new businesses.

Talent development begins by prioritizing the selection of employees with abundant technology and experience in similar product fields. Then, based on current job experience, a Re·Up Skilling program is conducted to acquire new technologies and roles in future growth sectors such as secondary batteries, hydrogen, nuclear power, offshore wind power, and eco-friendly construction.

In June, POSCO E&C, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), and the Pohang Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (RIST) held a commemorative photo after signing a business agreement to train specialized personnel in secondary battery technology. / Photo by POSCO E&C

To fully promote the development of specialized secondary battery technical personnel, POSCO E&C signed a talent development business agreement (MOU) last June with external specialized institutions such as Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and the Pohang Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (RIST). Under this agreement, POSTECH provides specialized theoretical knowledge related to processes involving secondary battery raw materials such as lithium, nickel, and anode/cathode materials, and POSCO E&C utilizes this as a foundation to conduct practical training for next-generation secondary battery business, serving as a stepping stone to nurture experts. The secondary battery specialized education involves 196 POSCO E&C employees and approximately 286 group company employees.

Additionally, since 2018, POSCO E&C has been running a construction skilled workforce development program to effectively carry out overseas construction projects. By leveraging POSCO E&C’s resources, specialized technology, knowledge, and experience, it provides high-quality construction skilled workers for overseas construction projects and hires them as actual on-site personnel, contributing to local economic revitalization and resolving unemployment issues.

As part of this effort, in April, POSCO E&C signed the 'Argentina Construction Skilled Workforce Development Business Agreement' with Salta Province, Argentina. The program aims to provide theoretical (30%) and practical training (70%) in basic construction fields such as plastering, welding, and heavy equipment operation to over 110 young people, including female workers, offering real employment opportunities on-site. All trainees are exempt from tuition fees. Upon completion of each course, trainees receive professional certifications valid within Argentina. POSCO E&C supports the trainees financially and assists them in securing employment at the currently ongoing commercial lithium brine site.

Alongside talent development, POSCO E&C consistently strives to prevent safety accidents among employees working in harsh environments. The salt desert Ombre Muerto, where the lithium brine site in Argentina is located, is a high-altitude area approximately 4,000 meters above sea level. First-time visitors to the area suffer from altitude sickness, making it difficult to breathe and walk properly. POSCO E&C operates a shift work system where employees work for seven days at high altitude and rest at low altitude. The high-altitude site is equipped with medical facilities such as an emergency room, ambulance, and hyperbaric oxygen chamber to ensure thorough preparedness for emergencies. Recently, a high-altitude medical expert was invited to give lectures on health management to on-site employees and to address health-related concerns.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.