At a programme hosted by the Kütahya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KUTSO), a cooperation protocol entitled “Strategic Cooperation, Digital Transformation and Patronage Project in Vocational Education” was signed with the aim of strengthening vocational education.
The protocol signing ceremony, hosted by KUTSO Chairman of the Board of Directors Esin Güral Argat, was attended by Minister of National Education Prof. Dr. Yusuf Tekin; Governor of Kütahya Musa Işın; Director General for Basic Education at the Ministry of National Education Ebubekir Sıddık Savaşçı; Director General for Support Services at the Ministry of National Education Ömür Fatih Karakullukçu; Director General for Vocational and Technical Education at the Ministry of National Education Salih Kaygusuz; Members of Parliament for Kütahya Adil Biçer, İsmail Çağlar Bayırcı and Mehmet Demir; Mayor of Kütahya Eyüp Kahveci; Deputy Governors Faruk Bekarlar, Harun Kazez and Coşkun Topuz; Rector of Kütahya Health Sciences University Prof. Dr. Ahmet Tekin; Mayor of Simav Kübra Tekel Aktulun; Provincial Director of National Education Mustafa Yılmaz; AK Party Kütahya Provincial Chair Ceyda Çetin Erenler; Provincial Director of the Social Security Institution (SGK) İsmail Sayar; TKDK Kütahya Provincial Coordinator Dr. Birsen Karaaslan; Provincial Director of Family and Social Policies Ülkü Uslu; Speaker of the KUTSO Assembly Harun Yurdagül; Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors Emin Yüce; Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors Salih Çetiner; Members of the Board of Directors Fatih Alkış, Melih Aslan and Semra Tozaraydın; Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tavşanlı Chamber of Commerce and Industry Davut Efe; Chairman of the Board of Directors of Simav Chamber of Commerce and Industry Şeref Kazcıoğlu; along with members of the provincial protocol.
Within the scope of the protocol signed between KUTSO and the Kütahya Provincial Directorate of National Education, 87 vocational fields operating within Vocational and Technical Anatolian High Schools and Vocational Education Centres (MESEM) across the province were matched with 80 companies operating in the city centre and districts.
With this model, implemented for the first time in Kütahya, it is aimed to ensure that students receive hands-on training in reliable enterprises; to strengthen school–industry cooperation; to enhance teacher–master craftsman interaction; to transfer innovative industrial practices into educational environments; to support school–industry R&D activities; and to encourage successful students.
In his address at the programme, Minister of National Education Prof. Dr. Yusuf Tekin drew attention to the importance of integrating vocational education with production and emphasised the decisive role of a qualified human resource base in Türkiye’s development objectives. Minister Tekin stated that the cooperation model implemented in Kütahya represents an exemplary practice.
In her remarks, KUTSO Chairman of the Board of Directors Esin Güral Argat noted that the signed protocol is not merely a cooperation document, but a concrete reflection of a strong shared vision for Kütahya’s future. She underlined that a robust and sustainable link to be established between education and production is of critical importance in terms of increased productivity, competitiveness and lasting prosperity. She further emphasised that extending vocational education beyond the boundaries of schools and integrating it with real production environments would strengthen young people’s employability.
Through the signed protocol, it is aimed to monitor post-graduation employment processes, to better prepare young people for working life, and to establish a sustainable ecosystem of qualified human resources in Kütahya.
News: KUTSO Press