Ford Otosan is breaking new ground in the automotive industry by combining production experience with education in cooperation with the Ministry of National Education. With the sector-integrated school model implemented within the Kocaeli factory, students will have the opportunity to receive practical training directly in the production field. This innovative model, which will start in the 2025-2026 academic year, will directly open the door to employment while preparing young people for the profession.
Ford Otosan, which carries its power in production to social benefit, is taking an important step that will create a transformation in education and is establishing the first sector-integrated vocational high school of the automotive main industry within its Kocaeli factories. This innovative model, which was implemented with the protocol signed with the General Directorate of Vocational and Technical Education of the Ministry of National Education, is among the first three integrated school applications carried out by the Ministry. In the automotive industry, this application is being implemented for the first time by Ford Otosan. This structure, which brings production and education together under the same roof, aims to offer qualified professional development and direct employment opportunities to young people.
The school, which is planned to start education in the 2025-2026 academic year, will operate within Ford Otosan’s Kocaeli factories, which are positioned as one of the largest commercial vehicle production centers in Türkiye and Europe. In the first stage, education will begin with two classes in the fields of electrical-electronic technology and machinery and design technology. The student group, consisting of 11th and 12th grades, will receive one-on-one practical training in the field of production, accompanied by master instructors and educational staff. The selection of students will be based on the transfer conditions of the Ministry of National Education, grade point average and the skill exam to be held under the coordination of the advisory board.
Osman Özdemir: “This school is a vision of the future that we offer to young people.”
Evaluating the project, Ford Otosan Human Resources and Transformation Leader Osman Özdemir emphasized that this pioneering step taken in education is an indicator of responsibility towards society: “As Ford Otosan, we measure success not only with our production figures, but also with the value we add to the society we live in. With the sector-integrated school model, we not only provide education; we offer young people the opportunity for professional development in a real production environment and prepare them for the working life after graduation. This school is a future vision we offer to young people.”
Employment Opportunity at Graduation
Within the scope of the sector-integrated school model, Ford Otosan undertakes to directly employ at least 30% of graduates. However, the main goal of the company is to recruit all graduates who choose this school and want to work.
Supporting Success with Scholarship
Vocational Education Scholarship, which will be provided by the Vehbi Koç Foundation on behalf of Ford Otosan, will be given to students with a year-end grade point average of 60 and above. In this way, students will be supported not only in terms of professional but also academic development.
Ford Otosan’s Investments Continue Focusing on Education
Ford Otosan does not limit its support to education only to today’s projects. İhsaniye Automotive Vocational School, which was previously established in cooperation with Kocaeli University, has provided both theoretical and practical education to more than 1500 students to date. In addition, Ford Otosan provided Ford classrooms, laboratories, test vehicles and equipment support to many vocational and technical high schools in Kocaeli.
With the Vehbi Koç Foundation Semahat Arsel Primary School, the foundation of which was laid in June 2025, and the new school project planned in Başiskele, Ford Otosan continues to expand its social contributions in the field of education by spreading it to all age levels.
Automobile Magazine – English
