Vocational Qualification Certificate for Painters: Deadline Is 26 May!

The deadline for obtaining the Professional Competency Certificate, which is mandatory for painters working in the construction sector, is 26 May 2016. Craftsmen who do not document their professional knowledge and skills will not be able to work after this date. Moreover, employers face penalties as well…

On 25 May 2015, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security published a highly significant notice making the Professional Competency Certificate mandatory for 40 occupations classified as hazardous and highly hazardous work, affecting hundreds of thousands of workers.

Those who fail to obtain the certificate within 12 months from the date of publication of the notice will no longer be able to work in these occupations, and employers who employ persons without the Professional Competency Certificate will be fined. The year passed quickly, and the deadline expires on 26 May.

The DYO Akademi Certification Department, the first organization in the paint sector authorized by the Professional Competency Institution (MYK) for construction painters falling under the mandatory requirement, is preparing to open 10 additional examinations in May in response to strong demand from craftsmen.

In line with these demands, examinations are planned to continue in June as well.

DYO Akademi Certification Department Manager Pınar Şimşek stated that they have been working since 2014 on ensuring that construction painters obtain their Professional Competency Certificates, which have become legally mandatory, and have conducted 30 examinations across many provinces throughout Turkey.

Examination fees and certificate costs are covered by the Unemployment Insurance Fund…

Noting that given the number of craftsmen working in the sector, the number of craftsmen who have obtained the Professional Competency Certificate and proven their knowledge and skills in this work has still not reached an adequate level, Pınar Şimşek said: "DYO, with its sense of responsibility toward our craftsmen in the paint sector, began its work on the Professional Competency Certificate well before the legal requirement became mandatory.

In 2014, we were accredited by TÜRKAK under the TS-EN ISO/IEC 17024 Standard and became the first organization in the paint sector to be authorized by the Professional Competency Institution in the 11UY0023-3 Construction Painter (Level 3) National Competency.

With only days remaining until 26 May, we receive dozens of applications daily from paint craftsmen asking how to obtain this certificate. As the DYO Akademi Certification Department, we evaluate all incoming requests and take swift action to organize examinations. We also constantly publish announcements on our website. In view of the strong demand from our craftsmen, we are preparing to open 10 additional examinations in May.

The examinations consist of two stages: theoretical and practical. Construction painters who successfully pass the examination receive their Professional Competency Certificates. Our examination organization will continue at the same pace through year-end.

We should also emphasize that the examination and certification fees for examinations conducted by Authorized Certification Bodies designated by MYK are covered by the Unemployment Insurance Fund."

What is the Professional Competency Certificate?

The Professional Competency Certificate provides individuals with the opportunity to prove their knowledge and skills in their profession and gives priority in hiring, and also benefits employers. Knowing in advance the knowledge and skills that an employee must possess reduces the risk of losing money and time by employing candidates unsuitable for the position.

In Article 3 (Additional) of Law No. 4447 on Unemployment Insurance, "Persons who have successfully completed examinations conducted by authorized examination and certification organizations within the scope of the Professional Competency Institution Law No. 5544 dated 21/9/2006, in occupations specified in notices to be issued by the Ministry and from among hazardous and highly hazardous work, have the full amount of examination fees and certificate costs covered by the fund until 31/12/2017 and half of examination fees and certificate costs until 31/12/2019. Construction Painter and Heat Insulator occupations are included in this scope.