Turkish aviation sector drives demand for technical graduates

The rapid growth of Turkey’s defense and aviation sectors, driven by national projects such as Kaan, Hürjet, Anka, and Aksungur, has created a high demand for skilled technical personnel. To address this, applied associate degree programs are becoming critical suppliers of human resources for the industry.

A prominent example is the Aircraft Technology program at the Gazi University TUSAŞ Kazan Vocational School in Ankara. The educational model integrates theoretical coursework—including technical drawing, manufacturing methods, and composite materials—with practical training at TUSAŞ factory sites two days a week.

According to data from the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), students are receiving job offers from major defense, aviation, and space technology companies even before completing their two-year degree. YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar stated that the sustainability of domestic advancements depends on trained technical staff and emphasized that higher education is being structured to meet specific industry needs through university-sector collaborations.