1. Introduction
The year 2025 marked a productive and strategic period for the EfVET Türkiye National Board. With increasing visibility at both national and international levels, the Board solidified its role within the broader EfVET network, contributing to the dissemination of good practices, promotion of policy dialogues, and strengthening of institutional collaboration in the field of vocational education and training (VET).
2. Structural and Organizational Developments
Throughout 2025, the EfVET Türkiye National Board focused on strengthening its internal structure and ensuring effective coordination among its members. Representing a wide range of institutions from across Türkiye, the Board emphasized geographic balance, gender equality, and sectoral diversity.
New role assignments were made to improve functional efficiency. Members were designated to lead on dissemination, monitoring and evaluation, international partnerships, and thematic task forces. The Board began preparations for launching Thematic Teams (TT) in fields such as Tourism, Robotics, Automotive Technologies, and Food Services. These teams will eventually serve as national hubs for knowledge exchange and policy innovation.
Regular online meetings and regional in-person gatherings were held to maintain cohesion, align objectives, and evaluate progress. Institutional engagement with EfVET’s Central Secretariat and other national boards in Europe also increased, further consolidating Türkiye’s strategic position within the network.
3. National Activities and Meetings in 2025
During 2025, the EfVET Türkiye National Board organized and participated in several impactful national-level activities. These events aimed to enhance visibility, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and promote EfVET’s mission among institutions and educators in Türkiye.
Key national activities included:
– An online seminar held in September 2025 focused on professional development and the introduction of EfVET’s strategic pillars.
– A physical board meeting hosted by İbrahim Özaydın Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in Istanbul during the first week of October 2025, which is planned to be held during the first week of October 2025 at İstanbul İbrahim Özaydın Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, aiming at mid-term evaluation and the planning of future initiatives.
– From May 20–28, 2025, board members visited various local authorities and institutions to promote EfVET opportunities and presented year-end outputs along with 2025 goals. These institutional briefings were led by Sibel Dağdelen and Seda Kılıçarslan.
– The team also started preliminary preparations for forming sector-specific Thematic Teams, particularly in Robotics and Automotive sectors, to align national efforts with EfVET’s European-level structure.
– A strategic decision was made to prepare and publish a national EfVET Bulletin annually, guided by Hasan Burçin Menteş, Eyüp Tarcan, and Seda Kılıçarslan.
– Monitoring and evaluation protocols were enhanced under the leadership of Eyüp Tarcan, Talha Bektaş, Hasan Burçin Menteş, and Gökhan Cihan Abayhan.
It was also agreed that the Board President would participate in all key activities and remain informed about all ongoing and planned initiatives.
These national engagements provided an opportunity to foster dialogue among Turkish vocational institutions, local authorities, and EfVET, reinforcing Türkiye’s proactive role within the network.
4. Future Plans and Strategic Goals (2026 and Beyond)
The EfVET Türkiye National Board has outlined a clear strategic vision for the upcoming years based on the experiences and outcomes achieved throughout 2025. The primary objective is to strengthen Türkiye’s presence within the EfVET network, enhance institutional collaboration, and promote high-quality vocational education through sustainable and innovative initiatives. The following priorities define the board’s roadmap for 2026 and beyond:
One of the key targets is to secure Türkiye’s candidacy as the host country for the EfVET Annual Conference in 2026. The official bid will be presented during the 2025 General Conference in Portugal. To support this bid, the Türkiye delegation will prepare a comprehensive presentation including promotional materials, video content, logistical plans, and letters of support from local authorities. A well-coordinated team of national board members will represent Türkiye and advocate for its readiness to host this prestigious international event.
In parallel, the board plans to establish and operationalize national Thematic Teams (TT) focusing on key vocational sectors such as Tourism, Robotics, Automotive Technologies, Digital Media, Culinary Arts, and Entrepreneurship. These sector-specific working groups will aim to identify and disseminate best practices, co-create innovative training content, and develop strategic partnerships with European counterparts.
Another strategic priority is the institutionalization of an annual EfVET Türkiye Bulletin. This publication will not only document the board’s activities but also include thematic insights, policy recommendations, success stories, and educator experiences. Starting in 2026, the bulletin will be digitized and supported by complementary formats such as podcasts, video series, and interactive newsletters to ensure wider reach and engagement.
To enhance transparency and performance, a robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework will be implemented. Each activity will be followed by feedback collection, internal review sessions, and analytical reports. Progress indicators will be defined to track the board’s impact and ensure continuous improvement.
The board also aims to expand international cooperation by establishing new partnerships with vocational institutions across Europe, developing joint Erasmus+ projects, and facilitating student and staff exchanges. Greater visibility of Türkiye’s vocational excellence will be achieved through participation in European fairs, competitions, and thematic events.
Lastly, to strengthen institutional capacity, the board will organize regional workshops, provide continuous professional development opportunities for its members, and digitize learning materials. Closer collaboration with the Ministry of National Education, local governments, development agencies, and the private sector will be pursued to ensure a multi-stakeholder governance model.
These strategic goals aim not only to position Türkiye as a proactive member of the EfVET network but also to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of vocational education at the European level.
Another major milestone in 2025 was the national board meeting held on 5–6 April in Antalya, hosted by Şule Muzaffer Büyük Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School. The event brought together all board members for an intensive two-day agenda aimed at evaluating the current year’s progress, coordinating strategic actions, and developing a joint roadmap for the remainder of the year and beyond. Key topics discussed included the expansion of thematic teams, stakeholder engagement plans, preparations for the EfVET 2025 General Assembly in Portugal, and Türkiye’s candidacy for hosting the EfVET 2026 Annual Conference. Members also reviewed policy alignment opportunities, institutional representation strategies, and best practices in project dissemination and evaluation. This face-to-face meeting significantly strengthened internal cohesion and fostered a collaborative spirit among all national delegates.