Vocational training programs planned in Guinea with Türkiye's support

A large-scale vocational training program is being prepared in the Republic of Guinea as part of an educational and institutional partnership bringing together Turkish and Guinean stakeholders. The initiative aims to strengthen local skills and support employability, particularly among young people and women.

A program focused on employability and local needs

The project is jointly led by the Türkiye Maarif Vakfı (TMV) and KOMEK, the Vocational Training Courses affiliated with the city of Konya. It includes opening training programs in Guinea that are designed to improve access to employment and to equip beneficiaries with directly applicable professional skills.

The planned curricula cover several areas identified as priorities in light of the needs of the local labor market: sewing and textiles, handicrafts, basic computing and office software, as well as technical training such as electricity and plumbing. The educational content is intended to be adapted to Guinean economic and social realities.

Institutional cooperation and field visits

Within this framework, a joint mission was organized with the participation of several Turkish and Guinean institutional officials. The delegation included the country representative of the Türkiye Maarif Vakfı in Guinea, Mehmet Akif Turan; the expert from the Foundation’s Directorate of Educational Programs and Accreditation, Fatih Delen; the Head of International Activities of the Vocational Training Courses of the Konya Metropolitan Municipality (KOMEK), Erdoğan Nükte; as well as the coordinator of Genç KOMEK, Yasin Önder Kiracı.

Alongside officials from the Guinean Ministry of Technical Education, Vocational Training, and Employment, the delegation carried out a field visit to two training centers where the opening of vocational training courses is being considered. These visits made it possible to assess existing infrastructure, reception capacity, and the conditions necessary for implementing the planned training programs.

Following these visits, the delegation went to the Albayrak Group, an actor involved in several projects in Guinea. During this meeting, exchanges took place with the Group’s Head of Representation and Protocol in Guinea, Ecevit Ercan. Discussions focused on the need for skilled labor within the framework of the Group’s ongoing projects and on vocational training fields likely to meet these needs, paving the way for targeted cooperation between educational actors and the private sector.

The courses are expected to be implemented in close coordination with the relevant Guinean authorities. The project is part of an educational cooperation and development approach aimed at transferring to West Africa Türkiye’s experience in training, development, and educational diplomacy.