Skilled Workforce in the Construction Sector

Ministry of Environment and Urbanization Continues Master Craftsman Training Under "Qualified Workforce in Construction" Initiative

Registration and certification procedures for the construction sector in our country are conducted by the Ministry. The Ministry had implemented regulations in 2012 regarding the employment of certified master craftsmen in construction projects. This marked the first serious step in the sector toward registering construction masters, providing their training, and employing certified craftsmen. Currently in the construction sector, approximately 384,000 people work with Temporary Master Craftsman Competence Certificates issued by the Ministry. This practice, conducted to increase awareness in the construction sector and prepare the industry, is being replaced by the Professional Competence Certificate process, which has international recognition and is supported by specialized infrastructure programs. For this purpose, through amendments to Law No. 5544 on the Professional Qualifications Institution and the published Announcement, the construction sector introduced the requirement for "Professional Competence Certificates" for professions such as timber formwork carpenter, reinforced concrete steelworker, concrete specialist, mason, thermal insulator, construction painter, scaffolding installation technician, acoustic insulator, plasterer, and waterproofing specialist. To prevent bottlenecks in certified personnel with professional competence in the construction sector, the Ministry launched a new project aimed at enhancing professional qualifications of skilled workers in the construction sector and developing leading best practices in the sector. To enable construction masters to be trained and prepared for the "professional competence certificate examination," a "Cooperation Protocol on Developing Professional Qualifications of Skilled Workers in the Construction Sector" was signed between the Ministry and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and the Ministry of National Education. Under the protocol framework, working with the Ministry of National Education resulted in the preparation of 40-hour training modules for 16 occupational groups, and these programs were uploaded to the Ministry's e-learning system.

Applications for Master Craftsman Training Reach Sixteen Thousand

In comments on the matter, Minister Özhaseki stated: "Applications for master craftsman training are accepted by Provincial Directorates of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization. As courses are opened by Provincial Directorates of the Turkish Employment Agency, applicants are called to training. Currently, the number of applications has reached approximately sixteen thousand. Pilot implementations were conducted in Kayseri, Bartın, Isparta, and Ordu." Emphasizing that courses are completely free of charge, Minister Özhaseki stated: "During the course period, occupational accident, occupational disease, and general health insurance premiums for course participants are covered by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security." Finally, Minister Özhaseki said: "Training to be conducted in 81 provinces will be organized by Provincial Directorates of the Ministries, and professional qualifications of skilled workers employed in the construction sector, for which professional competence certificates have become mandatory, will be enhanced."