An Examination Of The Role Of Vocational Training Centers In Ensuring School-Industry Cooperation From Employer's Perspective: The Ostim Case

Abstract

This study examines the role of Vocational Training Centers in school-industry cooperation from the perspective of employers. Within the scope of the research, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 12 business owners operating in Ankara Organised Industrial Zone who have cooperated with Vocational Training Centers. The research reveals that vocational education centers in Turkey are of great importance in terms of training graduates in line with the needs of the business world. However, employers have serious difficulties in recruiting staff and mostly meet their labour force needs by employing foreign workers. Furthermore, school-industry cooperation is essential so that the education curriculum can better meet the needs of the business world and provide students with workplace experience.Employers value the "certificate of mastery" obtained at the end of training to increase employability. The study also underlines the need for effective school-industry co-operation mechanisms. A strong partnership between business and educational institutions can improve the vocational education system in Turkey and prepare the future workforce.