Exemplary Collaboration in Vocational Education

A Summer School Program was Initiated in Collaboration between BUTGEM and BUU School of Technical Sciences. A summer school program has been initiated at BUTGEM with the collaboration between Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry Education Foundation (BUTGEM) and Bursa Uludag University School of Technical Sciences (BUU School of Technical Sciences) for vocational high school and vocational college students and graduates. The aim of the program is to equip students with practical training to become skilled technicians sought after in the business world. The program, which aims to increase students’ vocational competencies and specialize them in certain areas, was implemented as a pilot project to meet the expert personnel needs of the business world. Under the protocol, the summer school program initiated offers specialization and professional development training to 120 students in 7 different fields. Students will become directly employable expert technicians in the industry after receiving an average of 250 hours of practical training throughout the summer.
Training Academic Advisor of BUTGEM, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Karahan, stated that the initiated training program will contribute to both the development of students and meeting the needs of the industry. Mehmet Karahan said, ‘The students graduating from this program will not be just technicians, but expert technicians. We plan to expand and continue this program in different fields next year. BUTGEM continues its activities with nearly 200 training programs in 13 main sectors according to current needs. In addition, it contributes to the development of vocational skills from a young age by organizing wire car courses, model robot courses, wooden toy courses, origami, and software-coding training for children aged 8-14. These efforts constitute only a part of BUTGEM’s wide range of educational activities.’
One of the participating students, Bahar Petek, said, ‘Thanks to this summer school, we had the opportunity to apply our theoretical knowledge in practice. We will step into the business world more prepared and equipped.’ Mustafa Orhan expressed that through the program, they have the chance to gain the skills needed in the industry, stating, ‘We are more hopeful about finding a job after graduation.’ Deputy Director Assoc. Prof. Ayseglul Akpinar commented on the program, ‘This summer school program we initiated to increase the vocational competencies of our students and to meet the needs of the industry will pave the way for greater achievements in the future.’
Program Goals: Starting from September 2024, the program will be expanded to include vocational high school and vocational college students, and will continue for at least 3 days a week under the ‘Workplace Training’ framework. The goal is to provide training to 1,000 students annually along with the summer school. This program conducted in collaboration between BUTGEM and BUU School of Technical Sciences aims to equip students with practical training to become skilled technicians sought after in the business world.