Zücder move set to boost employment

The tableware sector, valued at USD 13 billion, is experiencing a rapidly growing blue-collar and white-collar workforce shortage, as in all other sectors. ZÜCDER, the umbrella association of the sector, launched the ZÜCDER CAREER project to address the issue. Within the project scope, 17 member companies met with over 1,000 candidates in collaboration with the İBB Başakşehir Regional Employment Office on Wednesday, 7 August. Employment was secured for 60 percent of applicants across various job categories, from press operators to sales representatives, from CNC operators to quality control specialists.

Employment gaps continue to grow across nearly all industrial sectors. Shortages of both skilled and semi-skilled workers are expanding particularly in manufacturing industries. Skilled labor shortages reaching 40 percent are also negatively affecting production capacity in industry.

Shortages of skilled and semi-skilled workers in labor-intensive industries have exceeded 30 percent. While nearly every company across all sectors struggles to find qualified workers with the required skills, recruitment efforts in tourism, food, and cleaning sectors range between 28 and 49 percent. The tableware sector is one of the industries facing acute employment shortages. In the USD 13 billion tableware sector, both blue-collar and white-collar worker shortages are growing rapidly.

ZÜCDER, the sector's umbrella association, launched the ZÜCDER CAREER project to develop solutions to the employment problem in the sector. Through the project, companies seeking employees are brought together with job seekers to create employment opportunities quickly.

In this context, ZÜCDER brought together 17 member companies with over 1,000 candidates in collaboration with the İBB Başakşehir Regional Employment Office on Wednesday, 7 August. Employment was created across various job categories, from press operators to sales representatives, from CNC operators to quality control specialists.

Commenting on the matter, ZÜCDER President Mesut Öksüz stated, "Like all sectors, the tableware sector faces employment challenges. Our over 600 member companies struggle to find both white-collar and blue-collar workers in their factories and stores. Since employment problems cause production difficulties, we launched the ZÜCDER Career project to provide a solution. As ZÜCDER, we will continue to address employment, one of the sector's most critical needs, through our ZÜCDER Career project. Within the project scope, 17 member companies met with over 1,000 candidates and 60 percent of hiring was realized. Following positive feedback from our member companies, we aim to expand the project and bring together more member companies with candidates."