Final Report of the Skilled Employment Workshop Announced in Sakarya

Sakarya Qualified Workforce Workshop final report press conference

The final report of the “Sakarya Skilled Workforce Workshop,” organized in cooperation with the Sakarya University Economic and Social Research Center (SESAM) and the Independent Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (MÜSİAD) Sakarya Branch, was announced at a press conference. The meeting was hosted by MÜSİAD Sakarya Branch President Ahmet Cihan and attended by Sakarya University Rector Prof. Dr. Hamza Al, SESAM Director Assoc. Prof. Ümmügülsüm Zor, SESAM Deputy Director Dr. Akın Özdemir, and SESAM Board Member Halime Çelik Oğuz.

 Sakarya University Rector Prof. Dr. Hamza Al stated in his speech that the university has long-, medium-, and short-term goals, emphasizing that training a qualified workforce in line with Sakarya’s needs is one of the university’s top priorities.

Prof. Dr. Hamza Al added that they carry out studies supporting processes that prepare students for business life and that these studies are conducted in collaboration with all stakeholders.

MÜSİAD Sakarya Branch President Ahmet Cihan, Sakarya University Rector Prof. Dr. Hamza Al, SESAM Deputy Director Dr. Akın Özdemir

Inventory and Employment Program

MÜSİAD Sakarya Branch President Ahmet Cihan noted that MÜSİAD’s activities in Sakarya have become even stronger thanks to cooperation with the university.

Cihan announced that, in the upcoming period, MÜSİAD will bring to life new projects that will contribute to the city’s future and meet the needs of various sectors, stating that they will launch a new program enabling vocational high school graduates to be employed for one year in companies that are members of MÜSİAD.

 SESAM Director Assoc. Prof. Ümmügülsüm Zor and Deputy Director Dr. Akın Özdemir shared with participants the analyses conducted within the scope of the workshop, the thematic areas, and the recommended action plans.

Özdemir stated that the study was carried out in three main phases and that eight thematic headings were determined during the workshop held on July 17.

He added that a comprehensive 175-page data set was generated from the roundtable sessions conducted with the contributions of 62 participants.

Sakarya 'Qualified Workforce Workshop' final report press conference

Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term Action Plan

The summary of findings included in the short-, medium-, and long-term action plans presented in the final report is as follows:

Short-term priorities (0–6 months): Rapid steps should be taken in areas requiring urgent intervention.

Medium-term priorities (6–12 months): Restructuring master–apprentice programs in vocational high schools, launching cooperative education programs through university–industry partnerships, and preparing a master plan for Organized Industrial Zones (OIZs) that includes social living spaces.

Long-term priorities (12–24 months): Implementing the Sakarya Workforce Strategy 2030, establishing an Industry 4.0 Center of Excellence, and creating an intergenerational mentorship system.