FESPA SUPPORTS THE FUTURE OF PRINT IN EURASIA

‘Profit for Purpose’ funds vocational print education in Turkey, addressing sector skills deficit.

As part of FESPA’s ‘Profit for Purpose’ programme, FESPA and its event partner ARED reinvested 50,000 Turkish Lire from revenues from the FESPA Eurasia exhibition into vocational training at the Izmir Konak Mersinli Mesleki ve Teknik Anadolu Lisesi (Mersinli Vocational and Technical Training Anatolian College).

The aim of the investment was to educate students and develop their expertise, to help towards resolving the issue of unskilled workforce in the Turkish print sector. The new course for advertising graphics opened in the 2014-2015 academic year, and has attracted large numbers of student enrolments. When the course started in 2014, 28 students were enrolled, who are now senior class students. In the 2015-2016 educational year, the number of students for this course has grown to 44.

Feedback from teachers, students and the college head reflects the positive progress of the course since 2014:

Ismet Uslu, Course Leader, explains the programme and the technology they have installed: “The funds enabled the creation of new laboratories at the college. We can teach our students one-to-one, giving them hands on experience of CorelDraw and Photoshop software used in digital print creation. Our students make digital print applications onto vinyl and canvas, working with digital printers and plotters donated by ARED members. Visiting experts give lectures on digital print and materials. At the moment, there are 26 computers for the student and teacher, a projector and screen, and a smart board.”

Senior class students receive occupational skills training three days a week at some of Izmir’s leading graphics producers and digital printing technology companies and are being given employment opportunities in these companies following graduation.

Uslu says: “We cannot underestimate the importance of the investment FESPA made and we would encourage future support from FESPA and other industry players to help us develop the programme and understand new technologies. We are giving our students a worthwhile education. They are all being trained as digital print experts along with experience they gain from placements within industry businesses.”

Course student Cansu Karaaslanoğlu explains the significance of the course for her: “I enrolled initially due to the high probability of gaining a job at the end of the course, plus I enjoy drawing and design. I believe that I will be a qualified print graphics technician after my education. Technology is continually developing and I need to enhance my skills in line with this, which the course allows me to achieve. I want to gain experience and learn more, then I plan to set up my own business in the future. I’m thankful to FESPA for their support.”

Fellow student, Bahadır Vedat Yıldız also comments: “The technology and materials available to us will contribute to our future as trained personnel. We look forward to receiving more support to maintain the course and technologies we have moving forward.”

College Head Enver Türkoğlu recalls how the development of the new programme was based on a proposal from the teachers: “Our school opened in 1982. Our teachers made a proposal saying ‘we need to move beyond stereotyped jobs’. I supported this perspective as I already knew that stepping into new areas is always useful.

“Through collaboration with another vocational college, we learned they had introduced this course to their subjects. We decided collectively to open a similar programme which has been possible in partnership with FESPA and ARED. We thank both organisations for providing us the funds to develop the course. The success of the programme will allow numerous students to enter the sector as expert personnel. We will be very proud when they do.”