Abstract:

Starting from the 2012-2013 school year, the mandatory education has been extended to 12 years in Turkey. With this policy, students prefer attending general high schools rather than vocational high schools. Even though the companies are in need of young entry-level professionals, the university graduates suffer from unemployment. Due to the lack of financial support the vocational high school education is not able to provide enough graduates for the labor market. This situation causes families and students to have a negative perception towards vocational education. Vocational education needs a local level structure that is congruent with the demands of the educational sector. What is necessary for structuring at the local level is; Circular No. 2016/21 dated 22.11.2016 has been determined in the Vocational and Technical Education School Administrative Board. Provincial Vocational Education Boards were established by Law No. 3308. The Ministry of National Education should strengthen the local level by delegating authority to these boards. As in the education systems of Finland, South Korea and Germany which are examined in this research, the Ministry of National Education can audit these authorities. With Law No. 5508, incentives are given to schools in the industrial zones and students in private vocational high schools. With the same law, private vocational training centers can be opened. Localization of vocational education will contribute to the increase in sector investments at the regional level with the effect of incentives.

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