Within the scope of the protocol signed between Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) and Samsun Automotive Authorized Dealers Association (SOYS); 'Automotive Electrician Basic Training' to train technical personnel for the automotive industry started as of March 1, 2024.
At the ceremony held at the OMU Rectorate, the protocol text was written by Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal and SOYS Association President Mehmet Akif Koçak signed it.
An important step was taken to meet the need for qualified technical personnel in the automotive industry in Samsun. The vocational training program organized for 21 trainees from outside OMU will be carried out by Ondokuz Mayıs University Continuing Education Center (OMÜSEM) and will ensure the certification of the trainees. Trainees will take courses related to the curriculum from Automotive Technology Program instructors during a total of 96 hours of training. Automotive Electrical Application courses will be given by master instructors assigned by SOYS. At the end of the training program, trainees will be tested.
Rector Ünal: “We aim to train a qualified workforce”
OMU Rector Prof. stated that this training provided thanks to University-Industry cooperation is an important step to use newly developing technologies in the most efficient way. Dr. Yavuz Ünal said, “Today is the starting day of a project that will form the infrastructure of electric vehicle repair and R&D studies in this field. Taking into account the developments in the electric vehicles sector in Turkey and in the world, a training program was launched within the framework of a protocol with SOYS, to meet the need for qualified workforce in the sector. The aim of this program is to understand and learn the skills needed in the sector, self-developing technology without risking customer property or life safety. This training program has been organized to ensure a balance between the knowledge and skills produced in the academy and the needs in the sector. The program covers a period of 96 hours and will be certified by OMÜSEM. In addition, this study, which aims to train a qualified workforce with job guarantee, will last approximately 6 months. The training program will be held partly face-to-face and partly online, and it is important for participants to gain practical experience in the sector and work together with the sector.” he said.
“We desire to contribute to the development of our country and the world”
Pro underlined that the training provided can be a model for other sectors. Dr. Yavuz Ünal said, “This work is a proud step for me. First of all, it is admirable that the industry creates demand by stating its needs. We are currently making training plans in three different areas that we are working on. Our planning is carried out in a more appropriate way to meet the needs of the sector. Therefore, we hope the impact value will be higher. Additionally, I believe this model can be adapted to other sectors. This work should be seen as a model of success and set an example for other sectors. We desire to contribute to the development of our country and the world with the project. However, since electric vehicles have high voltage, we need to be careful about safety. Therefore, when the courses are finished we will need to evaluate more clearly where we are and how much progress we have made. It is important to minimize the dangers, taking into account the issue of safety.” said.
“OMU was deemed worthy of the 2024 Innovation and Success Award”
Pointing out that OMU, as a half-century-old institution, is an important educational institution that adds value to the productivity of the region. Dr. Yavuz Ünal continued his words as follows: “We attach importance to the participation and contribution of sector representatives in the R&D studies we carry out in cooperation with the sector in order to train qualified manpower in accordance with the needs of the sector. The structuring of our university is not only focused on a specific field; On the contrary, it has focused on areas throughout Turkey and adopted the vision of being a successful university in every field. OMU has achieved significant success in the field of innovation in higher education and has been deemed worthy of the Innovation and Achievement Award among higher education institutions across Turkey. Our university, which started by ranking 2021th among entrepreneurial and innovative universities in 46, rose 2022 places to rank 11th in 35 as a result of its renewed mission and vision studies. “These achievements are a reflection of our university's innovative and forward-thinking approach.”
“The training program will continue continuously”
Stating that the training program will continue continuously, SOYS Association President Mehmet Akif Koçak said, “Within the framework of the protocol signed between OMÜ and SOYS, we started a course aiming to train technical personnel for electric vehicles. This course aims to train qualified technical personnel who will perform maintenance during the transition from fossil fuel vehicles to electric vehicles. The 96-hour training program that started today will continue continuously and will continue to be supported for those who want to contribute. Thank you for this important initiative.” he said.
“The needs of trainees in the industry will be met by SOYS”
Yesilyurt Iron and Steel Vocational School Director Prof. Dr. Kemal Yıldızlı said, “21 of our trainees will receive training here for 16 weeks. In the last 24 hours, they will practice in other training workshops and in using the rail systems of SAMULAŞ, affiliated with Samsun Metropolitan Municipality. The course content will consist of both applied and multiple choice tests and will be certified by OMÜSEM in case of success. After the course, the industrial needs of the trainees will be met by SOYS and they will be enabled to work in technical services. "In addition, upon the success of the course, a transfer process to the electric vehicles program of OMÜ Vocational Technical Anatolian High School (MTAL), which was opened last year, is planned together with OMÜ's Directorate of National Education (MEB)." he emphasized.
The opening ceremony took place at Yesilyurt Iron and Steel Vocational School; OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal, Samsun Automotive Authorized Dealers Association President Mehmet Koçak, Samsun Industry and Technology Provincial Director Selahattin Altunsoy, Samsun Central OIZ Manager Hakan Tütüncüoğlu, Samulaş Rail System Transportation Enterprise General Manager Fatih Arlı, OMÜ Yeşilyurt Demir Çelik Vocational School Director Prof. Dr. Kemal Yıldızlı, OMÜ Continuing Education Center Director Assoc. Dr. Kemal Özkurt, Samsun Technopark General Manager, Assoc. Dr. Mevlüt Gürbüz, Deputy General Manager. Sinan Tosun, University Industry Cooperation expert Yaman Şeker, Kosifler Oto Company Manager Uğur Şakiroğlu, Mengerler Ticaret Türk A.Ş Samsun Branch Karadeniz Motorlu General Manager Özkan Demir, Birmot Samsun Branch Manager Otokoç Samsun Branch Manager Ömer Karlı, Erçal Otomotiv Spare Parts and Service Manager Ziya Kalafat, Authorized Service Managers and Yeşilyurt Demir Çelik Vocational School Motor Vehicles and Transportation Department Automotive Technology Program Lecturers and Trainees attended.