25.04.2026 21:23
In the Ahlat district of Bitlis, the 'Vocational Training Center for Women,' implemented with grant support from the Japanese Embassy, has begun to yield results. 50 women participating in the textile course opened in collaboration with the District Governorship and the Public Education Center are learning design, cutting, and sewing techniques in workshops meeting European standards. With the project to be carried out under a 10-year protocol, it is aimed that the women who gain skills will be directly employed in textile factories to be established in the region.
In the Ahlat district of Bitlis, the Ahlat District Governorate Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation launched the "Project for Providing Equipment for a Vocational Training Center for Women" for women who want to prepare for business life.
GRANT FROM THE JAPANESE EMBASSY
For the project, which was decided to be supported under the Grant Program for Local Projects by the Japanese Embassy, workshops were established at the District Public Education Center where women will receive vocational training. 50 female trainees attending the textile course opened at the center 5 days a week are taught the intricacies of the profession in sewing machine use, overlock, dress design, cutting, embroidery, and sewing. Women who prepare for business life by receiving hands-on training in the workshops are aimed to be employed in textile workshops in the future.
"THE PURPOSE OF OUR COURSE IS TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT FOR WOMEN"
Master instructor Tülay Gürbüz, working at the Ahlat Public Education Center, said the course is important for women to socialize and participate in economic life. Stating that they prepare women for the future with training, Gürbüz said, "The purpose of our course is to provide employment for women. With the training we give here, we will provide job opportunities in textile workshops to be opened in Ahlat later. It is a very good project for women's development and bringing bread to their homes. A 10-year contract was signed within the scope of the project. We will continue the education with our trainees."
"OUR TRAINEES WILL BE EQUIPPED ENOUGH TO WORK IN TEXTILES WHEN THEY LEAVE HERE"
Stating that the workshops, which will be transformed into workplaces of European standards, can employ interested trainees, Gürbüz noted: "Trainings continue within the scope of this project aimed at women's employment. We strive to provide employment for women. Our women socialize here. We sit together, chat, and do our work. There is great demand. We currently have 50 registered students and we continue to accept registrations. We provide all kinds of training in textiles, including overlock and industrial machine use, sewing, and embroidery. Our trainees will be equipped enough to work in textiles when they leave here."
"THIS COURSE HAS BEEN VERY BENEFICIAL FOR US"
Hatice Şafak Yam, a 50-year-old mother of four and a trainee, said, "We learned very nice things. We sewed dresses. We started sewing beautiful clothes. We can even say we have become skilled because we receive requests for sewing clothes, and we can do alteration work. This course has been very productive and good for women to develop themselves."
Suna İşler, who attends the course with her mother, said, "We have been coming with my mother since it opened. This course has contributed a lot to us. At least I learned something and got my certificate. After completing all the training at the course, I plan to work outside."
"I WAS A HOUSEWIFE UNTIL A FEW MONTHS AGO..."
Trainee Mahiye İşler said, "While I was a housewife, we learned all the machines, cutting, shaping, and sewing here. I was a housewife until a few months ago. I now have enough knowledge and equipment to contribute to production. This training has been good for us."