Students enter the automotive industry with the education they receive

In Diyarbakır, at the Muhammet Yurtoğlu Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, male and female students in the automotive department are preparing to enter the automotive sector by performing vehicle maintenance, with the aim of contributing to the school’s revolving fund with the income generated.

The school’s automotive department has 160 students. Both male and female students receive instruction and practical training in everything from vehicle maintenance to car washing. In the school, which has been operating for approximately 10 years, some graduates open their own businesses, some pursue engineering programs at universities to further their careers, and others are placed in service centers and dealerships of automotive companies as qualified personnel.

The school aims to further develop this department and generate income, providing both financial gain for students and contributing to the revolving fund.

Zahid Demir, the principal of Muhammet Yurtoğlu Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, told an IHA reporter that they have six departments and their goal is to contribute to the national economy. He stated that they started with the automotive department and provide services in technical maintenance and car washing. Demir, mentioning that they are carrying out maintenance and repair of vehicles, said, “In this way, we aim to prepare students for life by giving them experience. At the same time, we provide them with opportunities to improve themselves. They will have the capacity to easily open their own businesses in the future. In our engine department, we have car washing, detailed interior cleaning, and headlight adjustment. We also offer tire changes and mechanical maintenance with our masters (teachers).”

Stating that they aim to provide service in every way, Demir said, “We are considering providing services by signing protocols with official institutions. We also have activities for citizens coming from outside. We work with an appointment system. We try to help everyone who calls us.”

Cihan Birbir, the head of the motor vehicles department, noted that they are working with students both within the scope of the revolving fund and to prepare students for the industrial environment. Birbir stated that the revolving fund was opened by the school administration for these purposes, and that they also accept vehicles from outside to increase vehicle variety.

“Private service centers are requesting qualified personnel from us,” said Birbir, adding, “Our students can perform undercarriage maintenance, basic maintenance, and even prepare vehicles for inspections. Before a vehicle goes for inspection, deficiencies can be identified, malfunctions repaired, and the vehicle can be inspected and completed on the first attempt. Our students will receive a fee for this. This is based on a government calculation; it won’t be a superficial calculation. From a moral standpoint, after graduating, our students will at least have a lot of knowledge about vehicles. Many private service centers are requesting qualified personnel from us. They want someone who at least knows what a vehicle is. They want sales staff, service personnel, damage consultants, etc. Our students work in this field after graduating. We also have students who have opened their own shops in the industrial zone.”

He concluded. Birbir, stating that they send students to places that want them, said, “We have a total of 160 students in the automotive department. Our goal is to send our students to industry or university. Our revolving fund service has just been established. Our school has been active for about 10 years. But our revolving fund has only recently been opened. We will most likely add exhaust emission testing to this. If we add that, I know we will be the first in Diyarbakır, and either the third or fourth school in Türkiye.”

Student Ceren Su Dere stated that she wanted to pursue a career in this field because she was curious about how vehicles work, and that she wanted to study engineering at university after graduating.

Student Muhammed Ali Güneş also said that he studies in the automotive department at the school, adding, “Our professor assigned us to vehicle maintenance and car washing. We satisfy our customers and clean all the vehicles that come from outside. I will continue doing this job when I finish school. After high school, I will go to university. I want to become an engineer and do this job very cleanly.” – DİYARBAKIR