What is the project about?

The project aims to improve employment opportunities and livelihoods for Syrians under Temporary Protection (SuTP) and Turkish citizens in Türkiye by strengthening their access to jobs in the renewable energy sector.

Implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the Ministry of National Education and funded by the Government of Korea, Phase II builds on the achievements of the first phase, which focused on vocational training and certification.

This second phase focuses on employability outcomes for Phase I graduates. It assesses how graduates are performing in the labour market, provides targeted employability and mentorship support, and strengthens Türkiye’s vocational training system by developing needs-based renewable energy training modules. A strong emphasis is placed on women’s participation and empowerment.

What is the situation? 

Türkiye hosts one of the world’s largest refugee populations, including over 2.3 million Syrians under Temporary Protection. Despite existing legal frameworks and training initiatives, many SuTP continue to face barriers to formal employment and remain engaged in informal work.

At the same time, Türkiye’s renewable energy sector is rapidly expanding as part of the country’s green transition. This growth creates new demand for skilled labour particularly in areas such as solar energy systems, equipment manufacturing, maintenance, and emerging technologies.

However, studies show that vocational training in this field is not sufficient to ensure employability. Particularly, women remain underrepresented in technical and leadership roles within the energy sector. Addressing these gaps requires a more targeted, labour-market-driven and inclusive approach.

What is our mission?

Our mission is to bridge the gap between skills and employment by supporting SuTP and Turkish citizens to access decent, formal jobs in the renewable energy sector.

The project seeks to strengthen employability pathways, improve job matching, and support national institutions in delivering training that is aligned with real labour market needs, contributing to Türkiye’s 

How are we doing this?

The project works through several complementary activities.

A comprehensive analysis is conducted to understand the employment status, skills, barriers, and aspirations of Phase I graduates, alongside current labour market demand in the renewable energy sector.

Selected graduates receive CV support, career counselling, and mentorship. Job-ready candidates are supported to register in the national employment system (İŞKUR) and are matched with potential employers through collaboration with the private sector.

Adapted soft skills trainings are provided via an online platform, alongside the development of renewable energy training modules aligned with sector-specific needs.

All activities integrate women-responsive approaches, addressing barriers such as caregiving responsibilities, access to information, and confidence in entering non-traditional sectors.

How will Türkiye benefit? 

The project contributes to Türkiye’s long-term development by:

• Improving access to formal employment for SuTP and Turkish citizens
• Supporting a skilled workforce for the growing renewable energy sector
• Promoting women’s economic empowerment in a future-oriented industry
• Contributing to social cohesion, economic resilience, and the green transition

By embedding its outputs within national systems and aligning training with real market demand, the project ensures sustainable impact beyond its implementation period.