The Ministry of National Education (MEB), through its Directorate of Vocational and Technical Education, organized the second Education Congress in Antalya on the topic of "Cooperation with the Sector from Education to Production." Stating that the aim of the congress was to find common ground, MEB Minister İsmet Yılmaz emphasized that both quantitative and qualitative vocational and technical education are essential for sustainable development.
The Congress, inaugurated by the Minister of National Education İsmet Yılmaz, brought together many actors involved in the public sector, industry, NGOs, and vocational education processes. During the two-day event, OSTİM President Orhan Aydın, OSTİM Foundation Director Gülnaz Karaosmanoğlu, OSTİM Project Inc. General Manager M. Burcu Öztürk, and Project Specialist Hakan Ünsal were among the industry representatives attending the Congress.
The Congress, which opened with the panel on Turkey's 2023 Vision and Vocational and Technical Education, featured panels over two days on the following topics: Vocational Education - Employment Relationship, Vocational Guidance and Career, Training of Trainers in Vocational and Technical Education, Vocational and Technical Education from the Perspective of Trade Unions, Vocational Qualifications and Certification, Quality Studies and Practices in Vocational and Technical Education, Vocational Training in Businesses, Guild System and Values Education, Basic Problems and Solution Proposals of Vocational Colleges, Thematic Schools, Private Vocational and Technical Schools and Incentives, Project Implementations, Lifelong Learning, Industry 4.0 and its Applications, and Vocational and Technical Education from the Perspective of the Press.
Labor supply-demand mismatch
Minister İsmet Yılmaz stated that vocational education is a top priority for the Ministry of National Education, emphasizing that they view vocational education as a national issue. He pointed out that the aim of the congress was to find common ground, and highlighted that the country's comparative advantage lies in its young and qualified workforce.
Drawing attention to the surplus of unskilled labor, Yılmaz stated that industrialists also have a problem finding qualified personnel. Yılmaz said, “There is a mismatch between labor demand and labor supply. This situation essentially shows the disconnect between vocational and technical education and the business world. What is stated in vocational and technical education is that theoretical knowledge is acquired, but the main deficiency is in skills training. We have also stated that we are ready to transfer our vocational and technical education institutions to professional organizations that demand labor in order to address these deficiencies.”
Yılmaz argued that both quantitative and qualitative vocational and technical education are essential for sustainable development, stating that vocational education accounts for 44 percent of secondary education and adding, "Our primary goal is to increase this rate to 60 percent."
The congress addressed in detail topics related to vocational training in industrial zones, particularly employment, vocational guidance and career development, trainer training, certification of vocational qualifications, quality studies, and vocational training in businesses.
Explanations and assessments were made regarding how existing resources can be used for future projects, and what aspects should be particularly considered when creating roadmaps. On the other hand, shortcomings and needs in current practices were discussed.
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