The Shortage of Qualified Intermediate Staff and Skilled Workforce in Our Industry

Just like many other industries that require skilled personnel, the lack of trained human resources has become one of the most important issues threatening sustainable industrial growth.

If we, as a country, fail to collectively solve this problem, we may eventually lose our commercial, political, and even military competitiveness on a global scale. I personally believe that in the future, countries will either exist strongly in industrial competition—or they simply will not. I do not believe there will be a middle ground.

Education Is the Fundamental Solution

I strongly believe that education is the key to solving this issue.

As a graduate of an Industrial Vocational High School in Machine Technology and also a former technical teacher, I have personally had the opportunity to observe the root causes of this problem firsthand.

Although there are institutions in our country capable of providing quality technical education, their number is unfortunately insufficient.

Education is the solution because knowledgeable people:

• Cannot remain indifferent
• Do not fear innovation
• Feel responsible for applying what they know
• Increase productivity while reducing problems
• Create real value and difference

Practical Education Creates Real Competence

Both public institutions and the private sector may have many opinions regarding educational reforms. However, there are certain realities that I deeply believe in.

Let us consider the medical profession as an example.

Medicine is one of the most critical professions in human life—where mistakes are unacceptable and consequences may be irreversible. That is why medical education combines theory with practical application. Before graduation, students gain hands-on experience through real clinical practice.

Medical students receive classroom education in one building while simultaneously practicing in hospitals with real patients in another. As a result, they begin their careers as highly equipped professionals.

What if the same educational model were applied to other professions?

Or, to ask differently:

Could the real reason for failure be our overall approach to vocational education?

Success Depends Primarily on Educational Quality

Of course, success is not determined by only one factor.

Elements such as:

• Social status
• Psychological satisfaction
• Professional fulfillment
• Income level

all contribute significantly to career success.

However, before all of these, success fundamentally depends on the quality of education.

Why Is Medicine a Preferred Profession?

Some of the main reasons why people choose the medical profession include:

• It is considered prestigious and highly respected
• It is socially encouraged and admired
• It provides satisfying financial returns
• Despite its extreme difficulty, it remains desirable

Why Are Medical Professionals Successful?

There are several important reasons:

• Universities with medical faculties also operate hospitals, allowing students to apply theory directly in practice
• Graduating requires real competence and merit because mistakes can have life-threatening consequences
• Medical professionals continuously follow innovations and use the latest technologies and methods

Why Don’t We Apply the Same Model to Other Professions?

Unfortunately, most professions where we struggle to achieve success do not possess these same educational structures and standards.

If there is already a proven successful model, why are we not adapting it to other vocational fields?

In my opinion, this is the real question we should focus on.

Vocational Education Requires Systemic Reform

Education is not a challenge that the private sector can solve alone.

For this reason, the public education system must be rapidly revised to provide practical application opportunities in every technical field—similar to medical education systems.

This should not be confused with internships.

True practical education means integrating real production environments directly into the educational process.

In addition:

• Public awareness campaigns should encourage less preferred professions
• Incentives should be provided for vocational education
• Institutions that successfully train qualified personnel should receive governmental support

The Current Situation of Vocational High Schools

Unfortunately, if we had to summarize the current condition of many vocational high schools in one sentence, it would be:

“Deeply concerning.”

Of course, there are successful exceptions.

However, many young people graduate after years of education without gaining sufficient professional competence. As a result, they lack confidence in their own technical abilities and often seek low-skilled jobs unrelated to their education.

This creates a major workforce loss both for individuals and for the country as a whole.

Sadly, we continue to witness this problem growing year after year.

The Future of Industry Depends on Skilled Human Resources

Advanced manufacturing technologies, CNC machines, automation systems, robotics, and artificial intelligence may continue to evolve rapidly.

However, behind every successful production system stands one critical element:

Qualified human talent.

Without trained operators, technicians, engineers, and production specialists, sustainable industrial growth is impossible.

For this reason, investing in vocational education and skilled workforce development is not only an educational responsibility—it is a strategic necessity for the future of industry and national competitiveness.