Coronado Global Resources and Bluefield State University (BSU) in West Virginia identified an opportunity to start a multi-level partnership, with the view of supporting the university’s efforts to re-establish their mining program. With the average age of Coronado employees being 43 in the United States, the partnership would also support Coronado’s Buchanan and Logan mining operations’ goal of attracting engineering graduates to the business, thus support staffing needs into the future.
Challenge
In conjunction with the university, investigation was needed as to what programs would support Coronado’s succession planning efforts as engineers reached retirement age. Coranado would also need to be promoted amongst university students, and the potential career opportunities available at our mining operations.
Solution
Coronado and the University’s project team identified the need to spark interest in business management, engineering, and other technical programs at the university. Under the new partnership, Coronado will fund annual scholarships for rising juniors and seniors in the BSU engineering program, provide key internship opportunities, and provide leaders from Buchanan to teach mining related courses. Our leaders will also provide input on program curriculum.
Outcomes
We have benefited greatly from our interactions with BSU during the development of this partnership. The partnership should provide BSU with the necessary financial support to maintain the program and provide Coronado with a pipeline of talent to support our succession planning efforts.
Being able to provide students with a scholarship and hands on training helps in their individual development and provides Coronado’s operations with future leaders.
