Chamber maps out plan to channel young people into workforce
The Ankara Chamber of Industry (ASO) has prepared a report calling for stronger policies to bring young people who are neither in education nor employment into the economy, warning that one in four young people in Türkiye remains outside both systems.
The report examined the situation of young people classified as NEET, meaning those not in education, employment or training. It said integrating these young people into production is not only a social necessity but also a strategic requirement for Türkiye’s sustainable development, production strength, productivity capacity and competitiveness.
According to the report, Türkiye appears to be among the OECD countries with the highest NEET rates. It said 25.9 percent of young people aged 15 to 29 in Türkiye are neither in education nor in employment. Among young women, the rate rises to 36.5 percent.
The report pointed to a growing need for intermediate staff in manufacturing, particularly in areas such as CNC operation, welding, maintenance and repair and industrial automation technology. However, the report noted that many young people tend to prefer office-based jobs, underlining the importance of expanding vocational training courses and directing young people toward production-oriented fields.
