Project: Coal miners to produce chips in future

Coal workers are to be trained for semiconductor production as part of the structural change in Lusatia. Chip manufacturer Globalfoundries (GF) in Dresden and Lausitz Energie Bergbau AG (LEAG) are entering into a cooperation to this end. In a pilot project, ten LEAG employees will initially join GF for three months and receive specific training for work in chip production. Participation in the test run is voluntary for the energy workers and is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2026.

GF is building on the technical understanding of the energy workers

"We are delighted to be working with LEAG to create an example of successful transformation and regional responsibility. The change from mining to high-tech jobs is a major challenge for many colleagues, but also a real opportunity," emphasized Nancy Stadel, Head of Human Resources at Globalfoundries in Dresden. The company relies on a committed and technically skilled workforce and is convinced that LEAG employees will successfully shape this change with their knowledge, experience and willingness to embrace change.

The partnership goes far beyond a mere personnel measure, it said: "It is a targeted response to the challenges of structural change. The aim is to secure the future viability of the region by maintaining regional value creation and giving employees new prospects in the high-tech sector." At the same time, GF is responding to the increasing demand for skilled workers by specifically integrating and further developing the technical and industrial expertise of LEAG employees. Both companies thus benefit from a transfer of knowledge and skills.

Lusatia as a model region for structural change

With this partnership, GF and LEAG want to contribute to developing Lusatia as a model region for structural change. Thousands of new jobs are to be created and existing ones secured by 2038 with the phase-out of lignite - also with innovative concepts such as the current case. "The semiconductor industry offers attractive prospects, and with targeted training we are jointly creating the basis for the long-term success of our skilled workers and the entire region," emphasized Jörg Waniek, Head of Human Resources at Leag.

Globalfoundries is a leading manufacturer of semiconductors with plants in Dresden, the USA and Asia. Around 3,000 people are employed in Dresden. LEAG is the largest energy producer in eastern Germany with around 6,500 employees. Parallel to the coal phase-out, the company is pushing ahead with the construction of a gigawatt factory. The concept of renewable energies, battery storage and hydrogen-capable power plants is also intended to make Lusatia a model region for the energy transition.