4TH APPRENTICE STUDENT FORUM WAS HELD
The 4th Apprentice Student Forum was held in Ankara within the scope of Vocational Training Programme for Employment (VET4JOB). The first step was taken for a structured network where apprentice students can come together to discuss their needs, make their voices heard more strongly, and solve their problems through solidarity, participatory and inclusive methods.
Within the scope of the “Facilitating Access to Employment for Syrian and Host Communities through Quality Apprenticeships and Vocational Training in Türkiye (Vocational Training Programme for Employment – VET4JOB)” implemented by Expertise France (EF) and EDUSER with the financial support of the European Union (EU) and in cooperation with the Ministry of National Education General Directorate of Vocational and Technical Education (MoNE MTEGM) and the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK), the 4th Apprentice Student Forum was held in Ankara on 20-22 May 2024.
The opening speeches of the 4th Forum were delivered by Mr. Ali Karagöz, Director General of Vocational and Technical Education of the Ministry of National Education, Mr. Atakan Çelik, Deputy Secretary General of the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen and Mr. Laurent Guirkinger, Head of Humanitarian and Social Development Department of the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye. On behalf of Expertise France, Program Manager Jade Kahhaleh expressed their pleasure to be the coordinator of this program.
The Forum started with the evaluation of the preparatory work of the apprentice students to gather opinions locally on networking and continued with training on community and network management acting within the framework of social benefit. In order to coordinate the networking activities of apprentice students, a 10-member Facilitators Board consisting of 4 apprentice students, 3 teachers, 2 apprenticeship training graduates and 1 ESOB (Union of Chambers of Tradesmen and Craftsmen) representative was elected. In the closing session held on the last day of the event, the Facilitators Board shared the road map prepared based on the action proposals discussed.
Since 2021, Apprentice Student Forums have been organized to address the opportunities and challenges of apprenticeship training from the perspective of apprentice students, to increase their participation in the training process and to enable them to make their voices heard. The forums encourage interaction and social cohesion among students and adopt a student-centered approach to provide an environment that empowers young people and develops their leadership skills. The forums serve as a platform to exchange ideas on common issues, allow students to defend their views, increase communication opportunities and promote apprenticeships.
The first forum was held on October 21-22, 2021 on a digital platform specially developed due to the pandemic conditions, with the participation of one lead teacher and two lead students from each of the 36 vocational education institutions in 12 provinces within the scope of VET4JOB and representatives of the Union of Chambers of Tradesmen and Craftsmen (ESOB) in the provinces within the scope of VET4JOB. During the Forum, where challenges and opportunities in education processes were discussed, students were trained on conflict management and basic principles in communication. In the preparation process for the 2nd Apprentice Student Forum held on 08-10 June 2022, students came together with business partners, sector experts, teachers and administrators to develop solutions to the problems identified and collected suggestions. At the closing of the Forum, four students representing the leading students met at the same table with decision-makers and shared the Forum Declaration with strong messages. At the 3rd Apprentice Student Forum held on October 9-11, 2023, sessions were held to put forward “inclusive” solution proposals to solve the problems together with the relevant parties. During the Forum, the rights of apprentice students were raised at every opportunity. Apprentice student forums are planned to continue within the scope of the VET4JOB.
