Ali Yavuz turned his passion into a profession thanks to the training he received.

This trio’s paths crossed when they joined the Vocational Training for Employment Programme in Konya (İMEP). Now they are skilled at working with furniture and toys, creating comfort and joy.

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A new future is offered to young people by supporting their vocational skills

Collaborating with Turkish organisations to deliver vocational training, the EU has supported targeted projects in 12 provinces. The İMEP opens doors to new futures.

It supported the Konya Chamber of Furniture Tradesmen and Craftsmen, as part of its goal to develop professional skills within Turkish communities that host Syrians.

Three different lives, three different dreams 

EUROPEAN UNION, 2025

Syrian Muhammed Kanbur: “Learning CNC was a dream for me. Now I can produce with my own hands.

Muhammed Kanbur’s story: Mohammed is a 39-year-old Syrian, married with three children. He came to Türkiye 9 years ago with his parents and five siblings.

He graduated from secondary school and worked as a master furniture painter for about 6 years. For the last 3 years, he and his brother have their own wooden furniture painting business.

Acquiring new skills was a major milestone for Mohammed. He wants to grow his family business by using a CNC machine. This allows computers to control cutting machines more precisely in manufacturing.

He enrolled in the Computerised Furniture Design CNC course. He says: “Learning CNC was a dream for me. Now, I can create products with my own hands.”

He attributes much of his progress to instructor, Seyit Harun Işık.

“Seyit taught us not just how to use machines but also the finer details of the profession. This includes the need for patience and attention to detail. The lessons guide me not only in my career but also in life.”

Seyit specialises in CNC and trains apprentices. He says: “When they find good jobs thanks to the training they receive here, it truly brings me joy. Seeing them working in a factory or a workshop, knowing that I helped train them and contributed to their employment—it’s a source of immense pride.”

Ali Yavuz’s story: Ali is 18 and an apprentice wooden toy maker. He says: “I’ve always loved working with wood, but I never imagined I could turn it into a profession.” 

Ali lives in Konya with his family and he attended a wood painting course 2 years ago.

After the 6-week training, he started working in his family’s furniture business. “During

the training I received in the course, I learned how to sand wood and all the details of applying paint and varnish,” says Ali. In addition to furniture, the gift items, accessories and decorations they produce in their workplaces have gained more value with Ali’s touches. 

He now designs his own wooden toys thanks to the training he received through IMEP. “With what I’ve learned here, I can create my own toys. Seeing my toys in children’s hands is an incredible feeling,” says Ali.

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Avuncuk Toys are promoted to preschools, and trainees generate income from the products they produce.

With him on his learning journey was instructor Yasemin Akın. She says the course gives her students a competitive edge. “They are always a step ahead in their profession. When they revive a forgotten toy design and introduce it to the market, people find it fascinating.” 

She says she has trained around 200 students who have mastered their wooden toy-making craft. She says: “Many have opened their own workshops, benefiting from grants and projects.

“Today, I have students who passionately pursue their profession, confidently bringing their creations to market.”

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Elif Kara: “Everything I learnt here can be a step for me to start my own business in the future.”

Elif Kara’s story: Elif is a 27-year-old mother with a university degree in fashion design. But she has changed her focus to upholstering furniture. To learn how, she joined an IMEP course.

Elif trained in upholstery to assist her husband, who runs a furniture business. She describes her training as more than a course. “It was a new beginning.”

With eyes shining with determination, she adds: “As my skills improved, so did my confidence. At first, I struggled, but now I take pride in my work. Everything I’ve learned here could one day help me start my own business.”

Elif dreams of expanding her business and perhaps one day, opening her own furniture workshop.

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The vocational trainings they received within the scope of the programme opened the doors of their dreams.

Young people discover their true potential

Fatih Esen, Secretary-General of the Konya Chamber of Furniture Tradesmen and Craftsmen, praises Muhammed, Ali, and Elif for their achievements. He adds that the vocational training helps young people discover their true potential and builds confidence.

Fatih emphasises that the graduates qualified with certificates approved by the Ministry of National Education. This means, he says, they can be employed more easily. The Chamber has successfully completed 16 vocational training courses. 

The Chamber has registered a trademark, “Avuncuk” for the toys designed and produced during the course. Avuncuk toys are marketed to preschools, and trainees earn income from the products they create.

Now, Muhammed is shaping his future at the CNC machine. Ali is designing toys for children to play with. Elif is continuing to develop new skills. Their stories demonstrate that the IMEP programme is more than just training.

It is a journey that turns dreams into reality.