#Turkey #UNICEF #Rönesans Holding #Gaziantep

Partnership to Transform Youth Vocational Education in Turkey

UNICEF and Rönesans Holding have entered a collaborative agreement aimed at reshaping vocational education for young people in Turkey. This partnership comes under the ambitious initiative titled ‘From Learning to Earning for Youth,’ which seeks to endow the younger generation with practical skills that align with today’s job market needs.

The program is significantly backed by Turkey’s Ministry of National Education and marks a notable venture into youth empowerment through innovation in educational models. Rönesans Holding will be a key private-sector partner, signaling a robust fusion of public and private efforts to tackle unemployment among the youth.

The Role of Rönesans Holding

As a vital contributor to this initiative, Rönesans Holding plans to leverage its state-of-the-art Municipal Hospital in Gaziantep. Here, 120 vocational high school students will gain invaluable hands-on experience in various fields including software development, food and beverage services, industrial maintenance and repair, plumbing, energy systems, and industrial automation technologies. This practical engagement is designed to move beyond traditional classroom learning, enabling students to directly connect their education with current workplace demands, thereby cultivating their ambitions into rewarding careers.

Acknowledging the Skills Gap

Paolo Marchi, UNICEF's representative in Turkey, emphasized the need for quality education and skills training tailored to market demands. He stated, “As UNICEF, we aim to help every young person reach their full potential by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and competencies they need.” This partnership is poised to enhance technical and vocational education and training (TVET) across the country, propelling standards that have far-reaching impacts beyond just the immediate student body.

The initiative also looks towards updating the TVET curriculum and improving safety and training standards in workplaces. Such changes stand to benefit a much larger demographic of aspiring professionals in the Turkish workforce.

Impact Beyond the Classroom

Elisabetta Falcetti, the EBRD Managing Director for Turkey and the Caucasus, highlighted the initiative's importance in nurturing a diverse workforce that can drive competitiveness and innovation across industries. She noted the challenges faced by young people—nearly one in four individuals aged 15 to 24 in Turkey are neither employed nor in education or training.

Rönesans Holding recognizes this critical juncture and is committed to creating safe and supportive environments for youth while diminishing skills mismatches in the labor market. The training programs led by specialized healthcare staff will not only provide a rich learning experience for students but will also advocate for gender equality and diversity in the workplace.

Sustainable Growth and Education Advocacy

Rönesans has been deeply involved in educational initiatives, including scientific secondary schools and scholarships for over 14,000 students. This long-term association with UNICEF commenced in 2023, focusing on delivering quality education and psychosocial support to approximately 13,000 women and children in earthquake-affected regions.

İpek Ilıcak Kayaalp, Chair of the Board at Rönesans Holding, expressed, “We are empowering 120 students to pursue their professions under expert guidance in Gaziantep's Municipal Hospital. This project is more than just educational; it’s a pioneering model of collaboration among the private sector, international organizations, and public entities in Turkey, setting a potential global precedent.”

The synergy of diverse organizations—each contributing their strengths—serves to create an impactful model that can transform educational outcomes for youth.

Looking Forward

The collaboration between UNICEF and Rönesans signifies a step towards bridge-building between education and employment, essential for tackling Turkey's youth unemployment crisis. As the initiative unfolds, it promises not only to empower young people with the skills they need but to foster a renewed hope for a prosperous future filled with opportunities. Rönesans is poised to extend this venture to new sectors while bolstering partnerships with universities and civil society, continuously pouring resources into the development of Turkey’s youth.

The outcome of this initiative could redefine vocational training, scale up successful models, and profoundly impact Turkey's economic landscape for years to come.