The 3+1 Education Model for Training Qualified Workforce in Vocational Schools
1. Summary
To contribute to the development and progress of countries, it is necessary to train a qualified workforce with the knowledge, skills, and work habits that will achieve high productivity. Vocational education, as a professional organization, plays a crucial role in preparing our youth, who are the guarantee of our future, for life by providing them with the necessary knowledge, skills, behaviors, and collaborative work habits, and in training the qualified workforce needed by the business world.
Especially in rapidly developing countries like Turkey, one of the most significant problems arising from the increasing young population is the shortage of unskilled labor. This situation undoubtedly negatively impacts the national economy along with a number of social problems. Well-trained human resources, through vocational education, will mitigate these negative effects and make significant contributions to the country's economy and the production of high-quality goods and services.
2. Contributions of Vocational Schools to Industry and Production
Vocational schools are one of the most important sources for training the qualified workforce needed by industry and businesses. Increasing the competitiveness of Turkey's growing economy in international markets will only be possible through the goods and services produced by qualified personnel trained in our vocational schools.
Technological advancements in the industrial sector highlight the importance of brainpower over physical labor; therefore, the need for people who learn, interpret, and utilize information, and who produce new technologies, is becoming increasingly important, replacing rote learning.
3. Transition to the 3+1 Education Model at Pamukkale University Serinhisar Vocational School
In Turkey, employment-oriented teaching programs are being developed between the labor market and vocational schools, and within the framework of projects, workshops and laboratories are being established in some universities to address students' lack of practical experience. While quite beneficial in the initial stages, this practice lags behind industry over time and fails to adapt.
As Pamukkale University, we continue to make new arrangements in our education system within the framework of University-Industry Cooperation to eliminate these negative aspects and to raise the educational level and quality of our people.
4. Benefits of the 3+1 Education Model
This project will have significant benefits for four main groups: students, the employment sector, faculty (university), and society.
4.1 Benefits for Students
From the perspective of students who are in the work environment before graduation:
Their self-confidence will increase, and their sense of responsibility and work habits will develop positively.
They will integrate theoretical knowledge with practice, gaining practical skills.
Their responsibility will increase, and they will acquire the ability to work in teams.
Because they are growing up seeing the technology of the day, their job opportunities will be easier.
They will shape their future goals and make career plans.
They will become acquainted with the realities of the business world earlier, and the adaptation process will be accelerated.
They will experience the pleasure of earning their own money.
They will get to know themselves and become aware of their abilities.
They will learn all the conditions of working life earlier.
They will begin to look for solutions by observing the problems encountered in businesses and will gain the ability to access information quickly.
Students who participate in teamwork will be able to complete their personal and social development. This will give them a competitive advantage among students graduating in the same field. In addition to four months of work experience, their resume will include connections with prominent figures in the business world who can serve as references for future job applications, and they will have built social networks.
4.2 Benefits to the Employment Sector
From the perspective of the employment sector:
Sectors will be able to develop their own infrastructure for training qualified personnel.
They will be able to train the personnel they intend to hire quickly and in the desired manner, and will have the opportunity to get to know their employees closely.
University education programs will be updated in line with the needs of the business world.
The integration of the business world and academic staff will be ensured.
Businesses will be relieved of the burden of initial training for employees.
Employees will adapt to their jobs more quickly.
Labor force will be obtained without incurring additional costs.
Businesses will be able to benefit from R&D incentives.
4.3 Benefits to Faculty Members (University)
From the perspective of faculty members (University) who will go to businesses to monitor students:
Industry sectors will benefit from the knowledge and experience of faculty members, and the needs of the industry will be taken into account when organizing education programs.
Theoretical knowledge that is insufficient in practice will be completed and updated. The university will be able to interact more easily with the business world.
Solutions will be produced to the problems experienced by the business world in practice.
Solutions to problems will begin to be produced through research.
R&D activities will increase with university-business world cooperation.
It will become a preferred university because its graduates find jobs easily and with good opportunities.
4.4 Benefits to Society
From a societal perspective:
Economically independent individuals will be provided to society.
Cooperation will accelerate national development and reduce the unemployment rate.
Families whose children are raised with skills will have increased self-confidence.
Since effective communication will be ensured between all sectors, innovations will be implemented quickly and the production of value-added goods in our country will accelerate.
It will help to meet educational and social needs such as employment and workforce through society and university cooperation.
By ensuring labor peace, which is an important element in the national economy and development, it will increase the professional satisfaction and job satisfaction of both the university and the business world. Innovations will develop rapidly because all segments of society will be able to interact and communicate with each other.
In conclusion, ensuring healthy employment will positively impact the process and change society's outlook for the future in a positive direction.
5. Project Implementation
To ensure that our Vocational School students are prepared for employment, we are preparing them for work and professional life by conducting education and training in the programs at Honaz Vocational School within Pamukkale University; 3 semesters are spent on coursework at the school, and 1 semester is spent on practical training in businesses.
Vocational School students will have the opportunity to reinforce the knowledge and experience they gain during their education through practical training in public/private institutions and organizations under the name of "Professional Practices" course.
According to the education model, our students will take theoretical and practical courses in the school environment during the first, second, and third/fourth semesters, and the third/fourth semester professional practice course will be conducted full-time for 14 weeks during the 3rd or 4th semester, in accordance with the academic calendar and the Professional Practices Training Directive.
Considering the high number of students and insufficient number of supporting businesses in our programs, the courses that students will take in the third and fourth semesters will be offered in both semesters. This will allow some students to complete their professional practice in the third semester and others in the fourth semester at businesses.
To ensure that the professional practice is carried out effectively, students will be monitored and supervised by a designated instructor. Students will be evaluated as pass/fail (YT/YZ), and a minimum score of 50 out of 100 is required to pass. The passing grade will be jointly determined by the instructor and the business representative using evaluation forms. Students who fail the "Professional Practice" course will be required to retake it.
6. Salary
With the amendments made to Articles 61, 62, 63, and 64 of Law No. 6111 dated February 13, 2011, and Articles 18, 23, and 24 of Article 3, paragraph (j) of Law No. 3308 on Vocational Education, higher education institutions providing vocational and technical education (by adding "and higher education institutions providing vocational and technical education" after the phrase "secondary education institutions" in Article 3, paragraph (j) of Law No. 3308 on Vocational Education by Article 61 of Law No. 6111) are also included within the scope of this law. Therefore, students of higher education institutions can also receive vocational training in businesses according to Law No. 3308 and benefit from the rights and advantages provided by this law. Furthermore, according to Law No. 506 on Social Insurance, the insurance procedures for students against occupational diseases will be handled by Pamukkale University.
The issue of paying salaries to students receiving vocational training in your business is governed by Law No. 3308. This will be done according to Article 25 of the Vocational Education Law, which states that "Formal education students receiving vocational training in businesses cannot be paid less than 30% of the net minimum wage." Furthermore, it is stipulated that "Wages paid to apprentice candidates, apprentices, and students are exempt from all taxes."