Highlighting the critical role of qualified human resources in the apparel and textile sectors, the Education Committees of the Aegean Clothing Manufacturers Association (EGSD), Aegean Apparel and Exporters Association (EHKİB), and Aegean Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Association (ETHİB) are reinforcing their vocational school partnerships. First initiated in 2019 by EGSD and EHKİB, the "Industry and Vocational High Schools Collaboration Project" will resume in the 2026–2027 academic year under a systematic mentorship structure.
The initiative aims to introduce students to essential industry competencies beyond theoretical classroom education, offering direct visibility into career paths, manufacturing floors, and design offices.
10 Vocational Schools Matched with 40 Companies
Focusing on vocational and technical Anatolian high schools with Fashion Design Technology departments in İzmir, the project structure includes:
School-Industry Matching: 10 vocational schools are paired with 40 member companies to maintain direct institutional communication.
Technical Visits & Material Supply: Students and teachers conduct on-site factory visits, while fabric and accessory materials required for coursework are provided by sector representatives.
Career Guidance: Industry professionals host career sessions to guide students through informed educational and field choices.
Executive Statements from Project Leaders
Yasin Akçakaya, Chairman of EGSD:
We are not initiating this project merely to provide aid; we want young people to truly discover our sector. When students observe their future work environment and clear career paths, their perspective on the profession transforms. For the future of our industry, working closely with vocational schools is vital, and sustaining this voluntary support is key.
Çağlar Bağcı, Chairman of EHKİB:
We must not allow today’s qualified workforce shortage to become tomorrow’s crisis. The solution lies in engaging with students during their school years. A student visiting factories and design studios makes far more conscious career decisions. We do not view school-industry cooperation as a temporary project phase.
Tevfik Aksu, Chair of ETHİB University-Industry Cooperation Education Committee:
By regularly visiting these 10 designated schools, we aim to address their specific needs through our volunteer companies. We want youth to recognize that textiles and apparel offer long-term career prospects that remain essential for the future.
Mehmet Peköz, Chair of EHKİB Education Committee:
We are advancing this partnership into a systematic communication structure. Dedicated contact groups will ensure that school requirements are directly routed to companies for rapid solutions throughout the academic year.
Zeynep San, Chair of EGSD Education Committee:
Experiencing manufacturing on-site clarifies industry dynamics far faster than classroom lectures. We are also evaluating forward-looking concepts, such as establishing fashion libraries within schools to provide access to contemporary design and production literature.
