At first glance, above all, they share the same Polish abbreviation – ZSK. But there are more similarities. Both projects are about the future, the country’s development and – particularly importantly in the case of rail – the need to ensure a sufficient supply of appropriately qualified workers.
Poland’s rail sector is facing a demographic challenge
At the end of July this year, the sektorkolejowy.pl website examined demographic data on employees in the rail sector. The conclusion from the article is clear: the rail sector is facing the challenge of generational replacement. Older employees are particularly prevalent among infrastructure managers – in 2025, people aged over 50 accounted for as much as 43.7% of their workforce. The corresponding figure was 41.3% in freight transport and 36.4% among passenger operators. This means that in the coming years the sector will need to find ways to replenish its workforce, especially in infrastructure.
In infrastructure and freight transport, the number of younger workers is growing too slowly. In 2025, the proportion of employees under 30 among passenger operators increased from 16.5% to 17.3%, but among freight operators it fell from 11% to 9.6%. Younger people are therefore not entering those parts of the rail sector that need new staff the most at the same rate.
People aged 30–50 currently form the core of the rail workforce, accounting for between 45.2% and 49.1% of employees, depending on the rail segment. However, this group too will need to be systematically supplemented over time. This is where the Integrated Qualifications System comes in.
Students can already train for occupations offering long-term employment prospects. Opportunities for adults will also emerge
For young people, the IQS makes it easier to find a school that prepares them for work in the rail sector. The Sectoral Vocational Education Compass allows users to quickly find specific occupations:
Given the growing need to replenish the workforce, schools alone may not be able to prepare enough workers to replace those retiring from the sector. This is where the Integrated Qualifications System can also provide opportunities for adults looking to change careers. One solution may be rail-related sectoral qualifications that are currently in the process of being included in the system. Once they have been included, anyone interested in retraining will be able to apply for the award of such a qualification.
A major rail project lies ahead for Poland
How many workers will the rail sector need in the coming years? The ambitious ZSK – Integrated Rail Network – project gives an indication of the scale involved. It is a comprehensive plan for the development of Poland’s target rail network, aimed at creating a coherent system of connections that meets the needs of both passenger and freight transport. The project includes, among other things, modernising existing lines, developing new connections, eliminating so-called transport exclusion areas and improving links between regions. As a result, the rail network is intended to operate as one efficient system, also integrated with the European TEN-T network.
Implementing such a wide-ranging plan requires not only infrastructure, but also a suitably prepared workforce. In this area, the Integrated Qualifications System can complement the Integrated Rail Network. While one ZSK sets the direction for infrastructure development, the other can support the development of the competences needed to build, modernise and maintain it.
The two projects therefore share a common goal – creating the conditions for the long-term development of Poland’s rail sector. This is particularly important in the context of investments carried out under the Port Polska programme, developed on the basis of the earlier Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) project, including the construction of high-speed rail. Projects of this scale will require not only appropriate planning and financing, but also qualified workers.