Turkey opens vocational training center in Bosnia

By Lejla Biogradlija

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Turkey’s state-run aid agency on Monday opened a vocational training center in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The center was inaugurated by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) in Gradacac city with the aim of raising qualified labor force and increase employment in the production sector.

The project was carried out in cooperation with Gradacac Municipality, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Istanbul International Center for Private Sector and Development, and Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry Education Foundation (BUTGEM).

At the opening ceremony, Ugur Tanyeli, head of Foreign Relations and Partnerships Department of TIKA, said that equipping the labor force and the market in Bosnia and Herzegovina with new technologies would contribute to the national economy.

Edis Dervisagic, mayor of Gradacac, said that the center will play an important role in meeting the need of skilled labor force and employment opportunities especially for young people.

BUTGEM official Ipek Dincel said that they will continue their projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The first group of 25 people, who will work at the center, had participated in a 3-month Machine Management and Programming Training Program in Bursa offered by BUTGEM.

* Writing by Talha Ozturk