Erdemir, Türkiye’s leading flat steel producer, has added a new initiative to its contributions aimed at enhancing the quality of vocational and technical education. The company has supplied a new induction furnace to Karadeniz Ereğli Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School (EMTAL), enabling students to engage with modern production technologies.
A site visit was held to mark the commissioning of the induction furnace, attended by Karadeniz Ereğli District Governor Fatih Yılmaz, Erdemir General Manager Şaban Yazıcı, OYAK Mining Metallurgy Group Corporate Communications Director Ayper Topcu, Zonguldak Provincial Director of National Education Uygar Keskin, Karadeniz Ereğli District Director of National Education Harun Akgül, Karadeniz Ereğli Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Arslan Keleş, EMTAL Principal Eren Davul, as well as Erdemir executives, education authorities, school administrators, teachers and students. The delegation examined the equipment on-site and received detailed technical information.
Speaking at the ceremony, Karadeniz Ereğli District Governor Fatih Yılmaz emphasized the growing need for qualified intermediate staff in industry and expressed his appreciation to Erdemir for its investment in the future of young people.
Erdemir General Manager Şaban Yazıcı stated:
“At Erdemir, we consider strengthening vocational and technical education as a strategic investment for the future of our industry. We believe that this contribution, which enables our students to engage with modern production technologies, will significantly support both regional development and the cultivation of a qualified workforce. We will continue to strengthen our cooperation with educational institutions and sustain our contributions to education in our region.”
Zonguldak Provincial Director of National Education Uygar Keskin highlighted the need to modernize school infrastructure in line with technological advancements, noting that while part of this transformation is carried out by the Ministry, the support of philanthropic organizations accelerates progress in this area.
“Our greatest goal is to educate and graduate our students in the best possible way, meet the needs of our industry and ensure their employment,” he said.
EMTAL Principal Eren Davul emphasized that this support, which directly impacts students’ futures, is of great value for the school. He noted that the equipment will be actively used in workshop applications and will enable courses in metallurgy, casting and production technologies to adopt a more up-to-date and practical structure, helping students graduate ready for the industry.
Students attending the visit expressed their excitement about having the opportunity to combine theoretical knowledge with real production processes thanks to the new induction furnace. They emphasized that working with modern equipment will increase their motivation and enhance their knowledge and skills, allowing them to look to the future with greater confidence.
Up-to-date Technology for Required Competencies
Practical training is becoming increasingly important in developing young people equipped with the knowledge, skills and competencies required by industry. As part of its cooperation protocol with EMTAL, Erdemir offers students internship opportunities within its operations, supporting them in developing their skills on the job. In this context, efforts to upgrade the school’s infrastructure with modern technologies are ongoing.
Within the Metallurgy Technology workshop, outdated systems previously used for cast iron production have been replaced with a modern induction furnace tailored to the school’s needs. The new equipment will be actively used in casting and production technology courses, enabling students to experience real production processes more closely and facilitating their learning. Students studying smelting and rolling within the field of metallurgy technologies will be able to observe current production stages used in the industry in a practical manner, thereby strengthening their professional development.
Internship Opportunities through Cooperation Protocol
Within the scope of the cooperation protocol between Erdemir and Karadeniz Ereğli Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, students are provided with extended skill training and internship opportunities in professional fields required by the industry.
In addition, field teachers participate in promotional activities, technical visits, seminars and training programs organized within Erdemir. Furthermore, in line with the company’s needs, student admissions have been initiated for the Machine and Maintenance Repair branch under the Machine and Design Technologies field, as well as for the Anatolian Vocational Program within the Metallurgy Technology field. Through this collaboration, concrete steps continue to be taken to support the development of vocational education in a way that contributes to regional development.
Erdemir will continue to develop projects that inspire young people by sustaining its social responsibility initiatives in the region, particularly in the field of vocational education.
