Expected employees’ competencies in the process of launching new products in JZR Ltd

Purpose: The article presents the research results concerning employees’ competencies in JZR Ltd. (Jastrzębskie Zakłady Remontowe Ltd.). Human resources management directly affects the operational results of the activity of a manufacturing company. The managers need to recruit employees possessing a high level of competencies. The key expected result is better economic effects. The JZR Development Programme is a good example of the complexity of processes that should be taken into account in good decisions in the area of human resources management in an activity of a manufacturing company. The main purpose of the research was to identify and analyse key employees’ competencies needed to launch new products on the market. The specificity of machine-building enterprises determines the scope and scale of the necessary activities for efficient and effective human resources management. Design/methodology/approach: The objectives of the research were achieved by the analysis of a recruitment process executed in the JZR Development Programme and a questionnaire survey within the project "Development of the skills ecosystem in four countries of the Visegrad Group". Findings: It was found that key elements determining the productivity level of the JZR Development Programme are the high technical and soft competencies of new employees. A risk analysis is also of high magnificence in so complex and capital-consuming projects. Research limitations/implications: The research limitations are due to the complexity of the system, the difficulties arising from the specificity of the mine environment, the lack of the possibility of ongoing diagnostics of the entire infrastructure (e.g. pipeline specification, the ability to measure sediment in water galleries, smooth change of the speed of drive mechanisms, etc.). Practical implications: The analysed investment programme requires workers specializing in the construction and designing of scraper conveyors, belt conveyors and powered supports. Soft skills such as teamwork skills or knowledge of project management methods and tools are highly needed as well. The activity of JZR Ltd. needs specialized software in the field of machine construction in terms of technology and design. Social implications: The expected requirements are strictly connected with IT skills which should be developed within the education process, especially at technical universities. Manufacturing companies like JZR Ltd. need to participate actively in creating the profile of a graduate at universities. Another possible activity could be achieved by cooperation with a potential candidate for work in a manufacturing company. Originality/value: The value of the research is the identified requirements in the range of analyzed technical and soft competencies which could be treated as a benchmark for similar complex manufacturing development projects. According to what was analyzed in the area of literature review we were able to find, there are no specific studies referring and reporting on employees’ competencies required in projects in mining industry.