Ministers Sign Cooperation Protocol to Boost Support for Vocational and Technical High School Graduates
Turkish Minister of Labor and Social Security, Prof. Dr. Vedat Işıkhan, and Minister of National Education, Yusuf Tekin, participated in a signing ceremony for a cooperation protocol aimed at enhancing incentives for graduates of Vocational and Technical Anadolu High Schools, held at Gölbaşı Mogan Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School.
The cooperation protocol, focusing on “Incentives Provided to Graduates of Vocational and Technical High School and State Contributions for Students,” was signed by Turkey’s Employment Agency (İŞKUR) General Manager Samet Güneş and General Director of Vocational and Technical Education Ali Karagöz.
During his speech, Minister Işıkhan emphasized the importance of a skilled and educated workforce for a developed and robust Turkey. He highlighted the significant role of vocational and technical education in achieving higher standards through collaborative efforts with the Ministry of National Education.
“We have elevated our employment numbers to a record 32.6 million by April 2024,” Işıkhan stated, “synchronized efforts with the Ministry of National Education are key to maintaining a sustainable development, cultivating a competitive labor market, and preparing our youth for the future.”
He further noted the remarkable progress in employment rates, with a rise in employment to 49.5% and labor force participation to 54.2%, and a reduction in the unemployment rate to 8.5%. “Through İŞKUR, we facilitated the employment of 1.3 million citizens within the past year,” he remarked.
Highlighting statistical reports from January to June 2024, Işıkhan revealed that İŞKUR enabled the employment of 691,000 citizens, marking an 18.3% increase from the previous year. He also mentioned the substantial outreach and advisory services, including 1.51 million individual consultations and visits to 445,957 workplaces.
The Minister underlined rapid regulatory changes and support models to enhance labor market participation, addressing the high demand for intermediate staff by transforming the On-the-Job Training Programs and Vocational Training Courses. He detailed modifications to reduce employer burdens and emphasized collaborative efforts with universities and public institutions to meet the skill needs of Organized Industrial Zones (OSB) and Technology Parks.
Minister Işıkhan, discussing the expanded university collaboration initiative dubbed “Seven Regions, Seven Universities,” announced its growth to eleven universities. “Our collaboration with the Defense Industry Presidency under the Kalfa Program produced its first graduates,” he noted. The initiative aims to develop effective, efficient, and healthy practices in vocational and technical education through ongoing partnerships.
Finally, Işıkhan discussed the introduction of match-making efforts across seven vocational fields, including Electrical-Electronic Technology, Machine and Design Technology, Metal Technology, Furniture and Interior Design, Automotive Technology, Plumbing and Climate Technology, and Shipbuilding, leading to the identification of 537 occupations for further development. Furthermore, he announced an increase in daily pocket money for graduates participating in the On-the-Job Training Program from 654 to 850 Turkish Lira.
“We will continue to support job seekers and employers in maintaining and increasing employment rates,” the Minister concluded. “I firmly believe we will shape the future century together with our youth. I wish the ‘Cooperation Protocol on State Supports and Incentives Provided to Students and Graduates of Vocational and Technical Secondary Education Institutions,’ signed by our General Directors, to be beneficial.”
Prof. Dr. Vedat Işıkhan
Turkish Minister of Labor and Social Security