Workshop sessions begin under İKMİB's anti-poverty project

The Istanbul Chemical Substances and Products Exporters Association (İKMİB) is implementing an important project in the field of corporate social responsibility through its 'Chemical Industry's Combat Against Poverty Project,' which aims to reach socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals.

The project, which covers individuals living in regions where economic inequality is acutely felt, such as Gaziosmanpaşa, Esenler, Esenyurt, Bağcılar, Sultanbeyli and Sultangazi, will also provide a solution to the chemical industry's shortage of skilled personnel.

The project, which will run for one year and will reach 100 people, at least 25 of whom are women, began its first workshop sessions following HR analyses.

İKMİB, which has undertaken important work for the development of the chemical industry and the increase of its exports, is addressing the sector's shortage of skilled personnel through the Chemical Industry's Combat Against Poverty Project by training 100 socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals to become skilled professionals. It is intended that the scope of this project, which addresses a societal issue, will be expanded and continued in the coming years. Under the "Social Integration and Employment Enhancement Grant Programme for Disadvantaged Groups" conducted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the European Union and the Directorate of EU Financial Assistance, the "Chemical Industry's Combat Against Poverty Project" will provide vocational training to 100 individuals to be brought into the sector based on the findings of HR Need Analyses, enabling them to obtain certificates.

Additionally, a Human Resources Portal will be created and through the matching system to be implemented, their entry into the labour market will be facilitated. Following the HR Analyses, the Project has gained momentum and workshop sessions have commenced. The first workshop was held under the title "Chemical Industry HR Overview."

Within the scope of the "Chemical Industry HR Overview Workshop," Istanbul Provincial Administration officials, poverty and social services experts from project district municipalities, public education centre directors, employees of social assistance and solidarity foundations, representatives of associations related to poverty and social assistance, technical and vocational high school teachers, sectoral association representatives and business owners came together to conduct a productive workshop. Among the workshop outputs, participation and attendance issues experienced by participants, particularly those coming from rural areas, were among the most striking findings. It was also revealed in the workshop outputs that women, due to societal prejudices, do not attend training programmes opened within certain sectors. It emerged that the sector's problems are particularly the adaptation of technical personnel to work, the insufficient number of technical vocational high schools, the need for technical high schools to be supported by sectoral associations, and the scarcity of certified workforce. The workshop also emphasised the importance of occupational health and safety and vocational training, and highlighted the necessity for the private sector to play a more active role in vocational training. The Chemical Industry's Combat Against Poverty Project will continue with a workshop on "Social Discrimination and Prejudice" to be held on 17 May 2017 at the Titanic Business Bayrampaşa Hotel. All companies operating in the chemical sector are invited to the workshop. Developments regarding the İKMİB-Chemical Industry's Combat Against Poverty Project can be followed on its Facebook page.