Türkiye hosts the world’s largest refugee population in the world, predominantly comprised of Syrians. Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, numerous impactful projects have been developed to support Syrian refugees in Türkiye. However, there is a significant gap in initiatives targeting individuals under international protection from other countries, particularly Afghanistan, Iran, and Iraq. These individuals face numerous challenges including a lack of awareness about where to seek essential services such as health services or legal consultancy. Additionally, children face restricted education opportunities, primarily due to identity issues, while access to livelihoods and employment remains a major challenge. The language barrier poses significant obstacles to their integration into society and limits access to job opportunities as well.
Despite the substantial number of refugees under international protection in Türkiye, there is a critical dearth of comprehensive data and tailored support programs to address their specific needs. The absence of a clear understanding of their skills, experiences, and aspirations impedes effective integration into the labor market. Moreover, the existing gap between refugees and vulnerable host community members, and potential employers, compounded by bureaucratic hurdles, further exacerbates the employment challenges faced by this population.
The “Mapping Skills and Employment Pathways in Central Anatolia” project aims to: (I) identify and document the skills, qualifications, and experiences of individuals in the provinces of Aksaray and Kayseri; (II) enhance the socio-economic well-being and integration of refugees into host communities; (III) facilitate the matching of vulnerable populations (both from refugee and local communities) and potential employers through consultancy and placement services, and (IV) increase refugee participation in the formal labor market by providing support with work permits and other employment-related challenges.
To achieve these objectives, the project undertakes the following activities:
Skill Mapping
RET conducts a comprehensive assessment of the skills, qualifications, and work experiences of target beneficiaries residing in Aksaray and Kayseri.
Profiling and Analysis
This activity focuses on gathering data about the target group’s skill gaps, employment preferences, and potential job opportunities. After ensuring data accuracy, RET analyzes it to understand the skills and experiences of the target group.
Job Counseling and Referral
RET provides tailored counseling and guidance to profiled individuals. Additionally, they were referred to suitable training programs and job opportunities considering their skills and qualifications. RET’s teams in Aksaray and Kayseri build relationships with local employers to match suitable candidates with potential employers and facilitate job placements.
The project will be finalized with a comprehensive Skills Map Report detailing skill mapping outcomes and recommendations.
This project is funded by the UK Embassy in Ankara and implemented by RET between April 2024 and March 2025 in partnership with LEAP (LNGO) in Türkiye.