Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations (TISK) and the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TURK-IS) have initiated the "TISK and TURK-IS Efficiency Enhancement in Training and Employment Pilot Project" as of April 20th, 2005(and completed in 19 April 2006) in the framework of the Strengthening the Vocational Education and Training System in Turkey Project financed by EU.

This project of one year duration aims to increase the contributions of the social partners to the improvement of efficiency in vocational education and employment systems, and to the strengthening of the linkage between education and employment in our country.

The contributions of the social partners have great importance in making vocational education more sensitive towards the demands of labour market. The configuration of the vocational education in line with the demands of the labour force market shall not only contribute to employment, but also increase the demand for vocational education.

As is known; "The Vocational Education Council" and "The Provincial Vocational Education Councils" established with Law No. 3308, and "İŞKUR Management" and "The Provincial Employment Councils" established with İŞKUR Law No. 4904 are amongst the most important mechanisms in our country set up for ensuring active participation of social partners to education and employment services.

TISK and TURK-IS are represented in the Vocational Education Board performing nationwide, as well as the Provincial Vocational Education Boards and Provincial Employment Boards performing at provincial level, and the Management Board of İŞKUR, where the decisions of this board are assessed

The above-mentioned bodies are the most important platforms, where the participation of social partners to vocational education and employment services are enabled, and the views and recommendations of social partners are taken regarding decisions on the functioning of the system.

The performances of the representatives in the said Boards are very important for ensuring the expected contribution of these Boards to vocational education and employment services.

TISK and TURK-IS, the senior institutions of employer and worker unions, shall therefore implemented a training and awareness creation program for their representatives in the said boards jointly with the project.

This project, which shall contribute to the more efficient and effective functioning of social dialogue in our country, will be piloted in 30 provinces under SVET scope (Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Bursa, Denizli, Diyarbakır, Elazığ, Erzurum, Eskişehir, Gaziantep, Isparta, İstanbul, İzmir, Karabük, Kars, Kayseri, Kocaeli, Konya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mersin, Muğla, Muş, Samsun, Şanlıurfa, Tekirdağ, Trabzon, Van, Zonguldak). 130 individuals under the scope of these provinces shall directly benefit from the project.

"Ankara Vocational Training Center of the Ministry of National Education", which is a partner institution in the said Project with reputation and experience in the relevant areas and plays the host for Ankara Provincial Vocational Education Board, and the 4. Evening Art School (AMEM) have active roles in the process.