Gaziantep Hosts Updated Workplace Adaptation Programme

GAZİANTEP (ILO News) - Gaziantep has launched the sessions of the newly updated Workplace Adaptation Programme (WAP) Training with the climate change awareness, sustainability and just transition knowledge, aimed at enhancing workplace integration skills among refugee and host community workers. Held at Shimall Hotel, this training backs Work Based Learning Programme (ISMEP), implemented by the Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce (GESOB).

WAP, by reinforcing social cohesion which hosts around 3.6 million refugees, and by supporting productivity at the workplaces.  Since 2019, ILO Office for Türkiye provided Workplace Adaptation Programme to 2278 workers in total in Bursa, Gaziantep, Eskişehir, Ankara, İstanbul, İzmir Kahramanmaraş, Adana and Mersin.  Positive feedbacks were received from both workers and the employers regarding the impact of the training at the workplaces so far. 

The two-day long WAP, carried out on July 2nd and 3rd, 2024 in Gaziantep, has convened 30 participants alongside trainers specialized in workplace adaptation strategies. The training programme has five main topics focusing on creating awareness on core labour rights, gender equality in the workplace and intercultural effective communication to build rapport among the workers and climate change awareness, providing core knowledge on just transition. 

Participants who work prominently at manufacturing sector, have actively engaged in training sessions designed to equip them with practical tools and essential knowledge for navigating diverse workplace environments.

Day 1 Recap (July 2nd, 2024):

• The morning session focused on foundational concepts and core topics and interactive games, providing insights into essential workplace adaptation skills. The participants informed that they will be attending the follow up session of WAP approximately 3 weeks later. They were asked to have their spare times together until the 2nd WAP session taking workplace buddy system (ahbaplık) into the center. 
• A networking lunch offered participants opportunities to connect and discuss key learnings from the morning session.

Day 2 Highlights (July 3rd, 2024):

• Advanced sessions included core rights and knowledge awareness content and specialized techniques tailored to further enhance workplace adaptation capabilities. The participants informed that they will be attending the follow up session of WAP approximately 3 weeks later. They were asked to have their spare times together until the 2nd WAP session  taking workplace buddy system into the center.  
• Another networking lunch allowed participants to continue discussions and strengthen collaborative efforts.

The training not only facilitates ISMEP beneficiaries’ workplace integration but also underscores Gaziantep’s commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth through targeted skills development initiatives. The updated WAP content now incorporates themes such as climate change and just transition through aligning them with the Sustainable Development Goals.

For ongoing updates and insights from these sessions, stay tuned as the ILO Office for Türkiye continues to lead in promoting workplace adaptation. 

This Program is made possible through the support of the United States Government and the cooperation of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, (PRM) under the Supporting Resilience and Social Cohesion with Decent Livelihood Opportunities Project.