They are training qualified personnel to meet the needs of the labor market.

Mersin Metropolitan Municipality offers free training in 8 different areas through courses organized to meet the needs of the job market, ranging from clothing production technologies to steel welding, furniture manufacturing and assembly, and machine maintenance and repair. While 403 trainees have graduated from the MERCEK Vocational Training Center in Tırmıl, 95 trainees are continuing their education.

The Metropolitan Municipality, which contributes to the development of qualified workforce by providing vocational and technical training, continues its courses at MERCEK Vocational Training Centers that train qualified personnel according to the needs of the job market. At the MERCEK located in Tırmıl Industrial Site, training is also provided in line with the industry’s needs. Trainees participating in courses such as clothing production technologies, steel welding, metal sheet processing, construction painting, plastering, wall construction, furniture manufacturing and assembly, and machine maintenance and repair evaluate employment opportunities in their respective sectors with certificates approved by the Vocational Qualification Authority (MYK) and the Ministry of National Education (MEB).

The Metropolitan Municipality has positioned MERCEK Vocational Training Centers in suitable locations according to demand, and has established a vocational training center in Tırmıl Industrial Site so that trainees can be within the industry. Since its opening, many trainees have been receiving vocational training in 8 different fields at the center, which operates under the coordination of the Social Services Department. So far, 403 trainees have graduated from Tırmıl MERCEK, while 95 trainees are still continuing their education.

“We open courses according to the demands of employers”

Eren Demir, the person responsible for MERCEK, stated that they open courses according to the sector and the demands of employers based on the locations and needs. He mentioned that in some courses determined according to the needs of employers at Tırmıl Industrial Site, trainees take the MYK exam, and those who are successful receive their MYK certificates. “We contribute to their employment opportunities. Other trainees graduate by receiving MEB-approved certificates from exams conducted by our instructors from Public Education. Before starting our courses, we also provide career planning training to identify what trainees are suitable for in terms of occupational health and safety as well as their skills,” he said.

Demir explained that they ensure individuals receive training according to both their own requests and their vocational skills, adding that anyone over the age of 18 can apply for the free courses.

“I didn’t even know how to hold a screwdriver before”

Ümran Yaman, who attended the construction painter course, stated that they learned a lot during the two-week course, saying, “I usually paint my house, but we didn’t know the steps or what was needed. I came here for job opportunities. Even in two weeks, job opportunities have started to come my way.”

Yücel Fidan, a 33-year-old who settled in Mersin after the earthquakes on February 6, expressed that he graduated from Tırmıl MERCEK and received his MYK certificate. He mentioned that he received welding training, stating, “After receiving my MYK certificate, I started working as a welder in Milas, Muğla. I came here to refresh my knowledge. They showed how strong local government can be and how people can be trained.”

Halit Azhari, a 3rd-year Mechanical Engineering student at Mersin University, noted that he came to the machine maintenance and repair course to reinforce his knowledge from school and to gain practical experience.

Meral Yananer, a furniture manufacturing and assembly trainee, expressed her intention to improve herself in furniture and to build her own house on her land, saying, “I noticed that the gains are quite nice, so I decided to continue on this path. I am also attending the welding course. After taking the exam and receiving my MYK certificate, since it has international validity, if I plan to go to Europe, I would like to take advantage of this certificate.”

Retired furniture manufacturing and assembly trainee Handan Altan stated that she did not even know how to hold a screwdriver before, noting that the course has been very beneficial for her.