Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

In his speech, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said that they had expanded the scope of the steps taken in 2019 to integrate the business world into vocational education.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said that they had opened a new page of cooperation between vocational education and the private sector in the agricultural sector for Türkiye’s future, adding, “Agriculture not only ensures food security for a country, but also provides employment, fuels regional development, contributes to our foreign trade balance, and forms the basis of the circular economy.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that the strategic importance of agriculture is increasing day by day due to the effects of climate change, supply chain shocks, and population growth around the world, noting that food security and sustainable agriculture are now fundamental elements not only for farmers but also for national security.

- “The shortage of intermediate personnel continues.”

Stating that one of the most critical shortcomings in realizing the potential of agriculture is the lack of qualified human resources, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Unfortunately, in our country, there are no longer children in villages and farms. There is a great need in our agricultural sector for technicians and technologists who are knowledgeable about modern agricultural techniques, proficient in food technologies and laboratory applications, and capable of professionally managing animal care and health. While the technological transformation of production is accelerating on one side, on the other side, the shortage of intermediate personnel to implement, maintain, and apply innovations in the field continues.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that this gap directly affects productivity, quality, and competitiveness, creating barriers to sustainable employment opportunities for young people, adding: “With this cooperation agreement signed between the Ministry of National Education and TOBB, we will pair 30 vocational high schools in the field of agriculture in various provinces with our commodity exchanges and chambers of commerce and industry. Our agricultural vocational high schools will provide students with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in real production environments. Upon graduation, they will be able to participate directly in production processes and become employees with the qualifications sought by businesses. As TOBB, we represent the business world of our country with 367 chambers and exchanges and 2 million members. We are mobilizing this power to strengthen education.”

- Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin

Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin also stated in his speech that they would do their part in training qualified personnel needed by the agricultural sector.

Minister Tekin said that they had gone through a period where they could not convey their message properly because bad examples and “cherry-picked statements” were preoccupying the public.

Saying that they are a ministry that concerns all 86 million people, Tekin emphasized that it is not possible to shoulder the country’s education burden alone and assessed that it is essential for real and legal persons, civil society organizations, and professional organizations to be involved in the education process.

Tekin stated that they strive to carry out all their work in consultation with their counterparts in the field, forming a partnership with them, and underlined that they will never back down from this.

Tekin stated that they closed programs that trained personnel who were no longer needed after taking office, who had no employment opportunities upon graduation, or who were not needed in the field, reporting that around 800 programs were closed in this context.

Minister Tekin stated that on December 1^st, with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, they will announce the steps taken in vocational and technical education through a comprehensive program, adding that they will take steps regarding what kind of skills will be required in the new period.