Bridging the Gap Between Industry Needs and Vocational Training Curricula

Abstract

The Turkish labor market faces substantial challenges because vocational training is not properly aligned with industrial developments and current sector demands. Turkey faces ongoing difficulties in matching vocational education curricula with industry demands through programs such as MYK and EU-funded initiatives even though it maintains investments in VET. This curricula misalignment impacts vocational education quality mainly in fast-evolving industries like manufacturing and renewables as well as tourism and information technology. The inadequate practices at vocational institutions include using stale curriculum and antiquated teaching approaches alongside weak employer relationships that produce graduates unprepared to join the workforce. A holistic investigation of Turkey's teaching-to-industry alignment uncovers the elements and origins of this challenge based on international criteria and domestic institutional examples. The article explains how government institutions need modernization at the structural level while highlighting the importance of industrial and educational institutions working together dynamically and showing how digital technology can transform vocational education systems. The article presents an inward strategic framework to close the gap which incorporates curriculum co-design along with upgraded labor market information and competency-focused training and enhanced public-private relations. The successful transition of Turkey towards sustainable growth requires vocational education to match current and forthcoming labor market requirements to fight youth unemployment and advance in global knowledge economies.