Deputy Minister of National Education Mahmut Özer attended the opening ceremony of electrical-electronic technology workshops in the Ali Osman Sönmez Vocational and Technical Anatolia High School which were renewed in cooperation with the Ministry of National Education and KfW Development Bank within the framework of "Social and Economic Adaptation Through Vocational and Technical Education" Project (SEUP).

 

Addressing the opening ceremony, Özer stressed that vocational and technical education institutions used production and adaptation potential to respond to the demand for the products needed during the pandemic.

 

Özer stated that vocational education institutions displayed an important reflex with the start of the pandemic and went on to say, "These schools made a great contribution to the fulfillment of the needs of the society. They promptly started to produce many most needed products such as cleaning supplies, masks, disinfectants, disposable aprons and overalls, mask machines and ventilators. Production in the vocational schools increased the interest shown towards these schools. They became the production base during the pandemic. Bursa is among the cities we value in terms of bringing the production of these schools with the sector. This industrial city has a crucial value for our country and displays strong cooperation between the vocational education and industry. I am happy to see these activities. Production capacity of vocational schools has been increasing in the last two years. The share of students in the circulating capital of vocational high schools increase by 115 percent and share of teachers increased by 139 percent."

 

Mentioning the importance of SEUP for the adaptation of foreign students in Turkey, Özer said that the project will provide synchronized operation between the schools and the sector.

 

Deputy Minister Özer thanked all administrators especially Provincial Director of National Education Sabahattin Dülger, teachers and students for their efforts.

 

Özer visited the Automotive Industry Exporters' Association (OİB) Vocational and Technical Anatolia High School which will train technical staff who will work in the production of electrical car factory owned by the Turkey's Automobile Joint Venture Group Inc. (TOGG).

 

Özer received information from the school administrators and had a meeting with Deputy Chairman of OİB Orhan Sabuncu and General Secretary Mümin Karacakayalılar.

 

Özer underlined the importance of support provided by the private sector to vocational education and thanked OİB group for their contribution.

 

Noting that vocational and technical education is training in global scale due its contribution to the economy of the country, Özer said all countries have been revising existing situation and tendency of vocational and technical education and initiated transformation within this context.  

 

Özer said that vocational and technical education institutions of every country reflect the reality of its location and status adding that: "Turkey knows what it can achieve with reinforced vocational education institutions and makes decisions accordingly. 2023 Education Vision of the Ministry provides a new road map for vocational and technical education based on the realities of the country. The new road map foresees a vocational education structure which is dynamic and makes constant updates according to the priorities of the country. We have to produce high value added products. The Automotive Industry Exporters' Association (OİB) Vocational and Technical Anatolia High School is a school which gives employment guarantee to its graduates and it will raise technical staff which will work in the production of electrical cars.  This school which is affiliated to the Directorate General for Vocational and Technical Education R&D centers also deals with production development activities in line with innovative ideas. I would like to thank all stakeholders, all administrators and teachers for their contribution. We want to increase the quality of workforce in the country in an effort to support economic and social development."