Women who attended MERCEK courses presented the products they made

Women who participated in the courses at the MERCEK Vocational Training Center within the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality showcased their products. The trainees, who also received entrepreneurship training, experienced the joy of both earning income and making their products visible.

The Mersin Metropolitan Municipality continues to provide space for women producers at stands to highlight and make visible women’s labor. Women who took courses in Touristic and Souvenir Production as well as Clothing Production Technologies at the MERCEK Vocational Training Center exhibited their handmade products ranging from bags to pillows and from baskets to jewelry at stands set up in a shopping mall. The trainees of MERCEK, which operates under the Social Services Department of the Metropolitan Municipality, also received entrepreneurship training. The trainees expressed that they will benefit from the training they received when establishing their own businesses and experienced the joy of both earning income and making their products visible. The trainees will exhibit their products at stands alternately during the weekend.

“We are opening up areas where they can earn income in the field”
The Coordinator of the MERCEK Vocational Training Centers, Gül Kadem Maya, stated that they enable the trainees to realize their existing talents with the courses they organize. Maya expressed that they develop these talents with the courses and support their trainees with entrepreneurship training after opening the courses, opening up areas where they can earn income in the field. Maya also emphasized that the courses opened at MERCEK create job opportunities and stated that they continue to support the trainees in terms of earning income professionally.

“Our courses for women will continue”
Emine Talayhan, the teacher of the Touristic and Souvenir Production as well as Clothing Production Technologies courses at the MERCEK Vocational Training Center, stated that they provide courses in macrame weaving and basket weaving for women. Talayhan, mentioning that they organize various courses like this, said, “Our courses will continue in the upcoming period.” Talayhan noted that with the opportunities provided by the Metropolitan Municipality, women can sell the products they make and earn income, saying, “All of them are handmade products. It has been a great opportunity for women.”

Women improved themselves through the courses
Nuran Mengütay, one of the trainees who stated that she improved her sewing skills through MERCEK, said, “We produce clothes, pillows, tablecloths, and bags. We came here to put the products we made up for sale at the stands provided by our municipality.” Rabia Kılıç, who specialized in sewing through the handicraft course she took at MERCEK, said she wants to open her own business soon. Kılıç stated, “I used to make bags at home, but I wanted to receive training to improve myself for a more modern and clean workmanship. After improving myself at MERCEK, the quality of my workmanship increased. I started to receive orders even from abroad. I opened my own page. I design my products. I also took an entrepreneurship course. It will be very beneficial for me when I open my own business.” Ayten Acer Kanun, another trainee, stated that she attended MERCEK courses in the summer periods, saying, “The courses are very beneficial both in terms of participating in working life and psychologically. I am here to contribute to the family budget. We exhibit our products at the stands provided by the Metropolitan Municipality.”