03.12.2025 08:35
At the vocational training summit organized by the Ministry of National Education (MEB), representatives from the business world presented notable proposals such as military exemption, tax exemptions, and support programs to guide vocational high school students towards employment. The suggestions arising from the summit will be compiled into a report and submitted to President Erdoğan.
The three-day summit organized by the Ministry of National Education aimed at restructuring vocational education has concluded, where representatives from the business world presented numerous proposals, including military exemption, to encourage employment for vocational high school graduates.
SEARCH FOR TRANSFORMATION IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
The vocational education summit, held in Istanbul in line with the "Century of Turkey" vision by the Ministry of Education, is concluding today. The ministry aimed to create a new roadmap suitable for the current labor force needs by asking the business world, "What should be done in vocational education?" The results report obtained from the three-day meeting will be presented to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
"THE OLD MAP CANNOT READ THE NEW WORLD"
Chairman of the Ankara Chamber of Industry, Seyit Ardıç, stated that vocational education in Turkey does not progress in harmony with the needs of the industry, emphasizing that the mismatch between skills and needs is the fundamental problem. Ardıç highlighted that the lengthy process of opening a new program fails to keep up with the rapid transformation of the sector, saying:
"We are trying to move forward by looking at the old map, but technology is redrawing the continents."
"FACTORIES SHOULD TURN INTO SCHOOLS"
Mustafa Gültepe, Chairman of TİM, stated that exporters also need to take responsibility, asserting that factories should transform into educational centers. Gültepe emphasized that young people should be able to see their future in the businesses where they intern and expressed their openness to all collaborations with the Ministry of Education.
MILITARY EXEMPTION PROPOSAL FOR VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES
According to a report in Türkiye newspaper, one of the most notable topics of the summit was the proposals for military exemption for vocational high school graduates.
MÜSİAD Chairman Burhan Özdemir pointed out the low employment rate of young people after university, stating that vocational education needs to be made more attractive. Özdemir indicated that strong incentives should be brought to the agenda to increase the participation of vocational high school graduates in employment. Özdemir said, "It is time to boldly discuss options such as grant support for marriage, income tax exemption, and military duty exemption for vocational graduates who have entered employment."
"ADVANTAGES SHOULD BE PROVIDED IN MILITARY SERVICE AND INSURANCE"
ATO Chairman Gürsel Baran expressed that vocational education holds strategic importance in terms of economic independence. Baran stated that vocational high schools need to be more strongly integrated with the industry, emphasizing the necessity of increasing practical training. Baran also stated, "If necessary, vocational education should be made a real choice for young people by offering extra advantages in areas such as military service and insurance."