Standardization and Digitalization of Rescue Education in Mining

Statistics showed occupational diseases and accidents claimed 2 million lives annually, exceeding drug- and war-related deaths. Mining remained the most hazardous sector, with the highest worker f...

DigiRescueMe aimed to achieve two main objectives in vocational education. First, it sought to develop a standardized and digitally enriched rescue training program by integrating engineering, psychology, and pedagogy. The project focused on enhancing the preparedness, resilience, and capacity of learners in vocational education. Locally, VR-equipped Rescue Labs were established in Kütahya, Krakow, Porto, and Balıkesir. Regionally, stakeholders increased awareness. Nationally, mining companies were informed, and results were shared. At the EU level, the project supported safety goals of the EU Commission and European Mining Authorities. It introduced the first standardized mine rescue curriculum enriched with digital and mental well-being tools. Internationally, it set a rescue model addressing both physical and mental aspects. Free accessibility aligned companies with EU systems, fostering collaboration. Thanks to the Erasmus fund, mining vocational schools did interdisciplinary work with the IT department and improved the capacity of vocational schools and vocational training centers of mines, and that was a good example for the other fields of work.

The DigiRescueMe project aimed to develop a digitally enriched, standardized rescue and safety curriculum for vocational schools and mines. Two key project results were achieved: a standardized Rescue Curriculum and a VR-based digital tool and lab. The first involved knowledge transfer, qualitative research, pilot implementation, and curriculum publication. The second created an immersive VR training space with interactive projections. Five multiplier events and many small-scale seminars were held to engage rescue teams, miners, engineers, students, and stakeholders. Academic discussions and free dissemination of project outputs strengthened awareness. DigiRescueMe was disseminated and discussed at four different international conferences in Poland and Portugal. Five transnational and more than six online meetings, eleven academic publications, surveys, and an interactive website further supported the project. Reports were shared with relevant institutions, ensuring lasting impact.

The DigiRescueMe project produced standardized and digitally enriched rescue education for vocational learners, integrating engineering, psychology, and pedagogy. It enhanced readiness, resilience, and mental well-being while improving digital competence through a VR Lab. The first project result was a standardized curriculum with modules on rescue, risk assessment, and mental well-being, developed through semi-structured interviews in Turkiye, Poland, Italy, and Portugal. A meta-synthesis book analyzing these interviews was created. The second result was VR rescue simulator built in Poland, Portugal, and Turkiye, featuring 25 hazardous scenarios. The project also fostered knowledge transfer, international collaboration, and digital tool awareness among VET learners and educators. All outputs were made available in English, Turkish, Portuguese, Italian, and Polish.