Industry-school bridge strengthens with Industry Z.0

Eti Alüminyum Strengthens Industry-School Collaboration with ‘Industry Z.0’

Eti Alüminyum, Turkey’s sole primary aluminium producer, continues its ‘Industry Z.0 Program’ aimed at strengthening industry-school cooperation and developing a qualified workforce. Launched in 2021 under a protocol signed with the Ministry of National Education, the program provides scholarships, internships, and hands-on training support to students at Seydişehir Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School. Since the program's inception, 200 students have participated in the internship program, gaining the opportunity to enhance their professional skills.

Operating as a global brand under the umbrella of Cengiz Holding, Eti Alüminyum continues to support vocational education through the ‘Industry Z.0 Program,’ conducted in coordination with the Ministry of National Education’s General Directorate of Vocational and Technical Education. Initiated in the 2021-2022 academic year, the program aims to contribute to the professional and technical development of students studying in the machinery, electrical, metalworks, and chemistry departments. While successful students receive scholarship support, they also complete their mandatory internships at Eti Alüminyum facilities. Technical workshops are established within the school, and Eti Alüminyum engineers provide one-on-one mentorship to the students.

Since the start of the program, 200 students have joined the internship program, and 180 students have received scholarships. Four existing technical workshops have been modernized with technological equipment suited to contemporary needs. Furthermore, a computer laboratory was established to support technical drawing education, and lathe and milling machine support was provided to existing workshops. Material support was also offered to allow students to practice and improve their problem-solving skills within their respective fields.

‘Industry-School Cooperation is a Necessity for Our Future’ Mehmet Arkan, General Manager of Eti Alüminyum, stated that the ‘Industry Z.0 Program’ contributes not only to education but also to the future of production in Turkey: “In today’s world, qualified human resources are an indispensable element for sustainable industrial production, alongside technology and capital. We designed the Industry Z.0 Program with this perspective. This journey with the students of Seydişehir Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School continues not just at school desks, but in workshops, on-site, and within real production environments. Our goal here is not only to provide our youth with technical skills but also to equip them with self-confidence, work discipline, and a sense of responsibility. We view industry-school cooperation not as an option, but as a necessity for the future of our industry and our country.”

By highlighting the value of vocational education, Eti Alüminyum is leading the sector with the ‘Industry Z.0 Program,’ offering an inspiring model for schools and industrial organizations. With its structure evolving within the student-teacher-engineer triangle, it stands out as a sustainable and practical learning model where education meets the field. Students are supported not only in technical skills but also in sectoral awareness and career planning. Upon completion of the program, students who apply for jobs are given priority in employment opportunities.

ABOUT ETİ ALÜMİNYUM: Founded in 1967 and commencing production in 1973, Eti Alüminyum has been operating under Cengiz Holding, one of the leading industrial groups, since 2005. Following its acquisition from the Privatization Administration, investments exceeding $700 million have been made into the facilities to accelerate renewal, capacity expansion, and technological upgrades. Thanks to these investments, Eti Alüminyum now operates Turkey’s only integrated facility capable of production from mine to end-product, producing 82,000 tons of aluminium annually. The company's products are used in a wide range of applications, from window profiles to aircraft, and from tourism to the defense industry.