Poland’s railway industry is receiving a significant boost through the development of Professional Competence Center No. 2 in Siedlce, a modern facility dedicated to training and certifying personnel for the railway transport sector. The initiative emphasizes modern technologies and close cooperation between education, industry, and rail operators, with the aim of meeting the increasingly complex needs of interoperable transportation systems.
Since June 1, 2025, Siedlce has been home to this advanced training center, developed as part of a strategic project funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The investment amounts to 3.2 million euros (13.5 million zlotys), and the main objective is to create a stable system for developing skills for the railway sector’s labor market.
The project is being implemented by the local authority in Siedlce, in partnership with organizations from the railway industry and the operator PKP Intercity, and is focused on training new generations of specialists in the context of the digitization and modernization of rail transport.
“The Siedlce Competence Center is an example of effective collaboration between education, government, and industry. We believe that the future of rail transport depends on modern training based on practical experience and innovation,” said Joanna Siecińska, a member of the Board of Directors of PKP Intercity.
A Response to the Shortage of Qualified Personnel
The Polish railway sector is facing a growing need for qualified personnel, driven by the retirement of specialists and the introduction of new technologies. System interoperability, process digitization, and the modernization of rolling stock require increasingly advanced skills.
In this context, the center in Siedlce offers free courses, certification programs, and hands-on training for high school students, college students, teachers, and industry employees. By the end of June 2026, the institution will have trained approximately 460 people, helping to raise the level of qualifications in the sector.
The educational offerings include training for professions such as rolling stock electrician, locomotive mechanic, train conductor, dispatcher, and passenger information staff, along with technical modules on pneumatic systems, air conditioning, and modern railway technologies.
The project also includes a significant component dedicated to promoting careers in railways. In 2026, the “Railways Without Borders” National Olympiad was organized, with over 260 students from across Poland participating, thereby strengthening young people’s interest in this field.
In addition, study visits to PKP Intercity were organized, educational materials for specialized platforms were developed, and a model for cooperation between schools, universities, and railway operators was established. The Polish operator also contributed teaching equipment worth over 49,000 euros (208,000 zlotys) and helped develop 12 vocational training programs.
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