ANKARA – Trainees of Turkish citizenry and Syrians under temporary protection received vocational qualification certificates upon successful completion of the vocational training courses organised under the “Opportunities for Lives Project” jointly implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Directorate-General for International Labour Force (DG-ILF) of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services.
To date, 155 persons have been entitled in the provinces of Istanbul, Bursa, Konya, Adana and Mersin to vocational qualification certificates through successful performance in 15 different examination schedules in the following qualification areas and levels: Individual and Commercial Air-Conditioning Systems Assembler - Level 3, Industrial Pipes Assembler - Level 3, Wooden Furniture Maker - Level 3, NC/CNC Bench Worker - Level 4, CNC Programming - Level 4, Steel Welder - Level 3, Call Centre Customer Representative - Level 4, Food Cooking - Level 4, Auto-Mechanic - Level 4, Real Estate Advisor -Level 5, Electrician - Level 3, Computer Hardware Worker - Level 4, Upholstery Stitcher - Level 3 and Machinery Maintenance Worker - Level 3.

The Project provides trainees with the opportunity of certification in 14 qualification areas through covering examination and certification costs and provision of translation and interpretation services at examinations.

As vocational training certificates provide advantages in job finding, they are particularly important for refugees who experience difficulties in getting jobs matching their qualifications for lack of credentials of their educational background.

Ms. Fatma Gelir Ünal, Project Coordinator, said: “Through our Project, we offer the opportunity of vocational qualification certification to successful trainees. The certificates awarded by authorised certification bodies provide advantages in finding jobs. To date, 155 persons have received certificates.

When the ongoing examination schedule is completed, we will have more people certified. We aim that certified beneficiaries match their vocational qualification with skilled jobs, and exercise their vocations in full awareness of occupational safety and health requirements.”

Ms. Nuran Torun Atış, Employment and Skills Development Officer of the Project, said: “Examination schedules were suspended in March to July 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic, and reactivated with the selfless efforts of collaborating certification bodies and necessary health measures taken under guidance from the Vocational Qualifications Authority. We are happy to have completed the examination schedule despite difficulties under the pandemic conditions.”

About Opportunities for Lives Project

The "Opportunities for Lives Project" implemented jointly by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Directorate-General for International Labour Force (DG-ILF) of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services with funding from the European Union (EU) aims to economically and socially empower the host communities and Syrians under temporary protection in Ankara, Istanbul, Bursa, Konya, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Adana, Mersin and Hatay.