11.07.2025 20:11
Mustafa Sezer, an auto repair master in İzmir, stated that the future of the profession is at risk due to the inability to meet the need for apprentices. Sezer said, "There is a significant shortage of apprentices and journeymen in the automotive sector. Today, a good master can earn between 80,000 and 100,000 TL."
The increasing need for apprentices in the auto repair industry is putting the future of the profession at risk. The industrial tradesmen, who are waiting for the summer vacation hoping for "an apprentice to come," express that they offer higher earning potential compared to many other fields and are seeking support from authorities to direct young people towards this area.
APPRENTICE SHORTAGE IN THE AUTO REPAIR INDUSTRY IS DEEPENING
The shortage of intermediate staff experienced in many sectors across Turkey is also deepening in the field of auto maintenance and repair. Apprentices, who earn an average of 4,000 TL per week, can earn between 80,000 and 100,000 TL per month as they progress in their profession. However, despite the high earning potential, the interest of young people in this profession is almost negligible.
The tradesmen in the 1st Industrial Site located in Bornova, Izmir, express that the need for qualified labor in the sector is increasing day by day, while they are facing a significant problem in finding apprentices.
"OUR SHORTAGE OF APPRENTICES AND JOURNEYMEN IS INCREASING"
Mustafa Sezer, the Deputy Chairman of the Izmir Auto Repairmen's Chamber, stated that there is a search for apprentices in almost every shop in the industry today: "Unfortunately, we cannot find apprentices. Especially when students in vocational schools reach the 11th and 12th grades, large companies hire these trained qualified students into their own ranks. Therefore, our shortage of apprentices and journeymen in industrial sites is increasing, and we are experiencing serious problems."
"A GOOD MASTER CAN EARN UP TO 100,000 TL"
During the summer months, the first place parents turn to find jobs for their children is apprenticeship. However, the children who come generally do not want to do this job. Yet, there is a significant shortage of apprentices and journeymen in the automotive sector. Today, a good master can earn between 80,000 and 100,000 TL. The lack of apprentices and journeymen in industrial sites threatens the future of the sector. Currently, the average age of masters is between 60 and 70. These individuals will soon be unable to continue in the profession. Today, there is a need for apprentices and journeymen in every industrial site and every workplace. If there were 5,000 apprentices right now, we have the potential to place them all in industrial sites," he said.