# Turkey's İŞKUR youth employment drive

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkeys-ikur-youth-employment-drive
> Updated: 2026-08-04T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

In late July 2026, Turkey’s public employment agency İŞKUR began rolling out two regional workforce‑integration programmes in the eastern provinces of Hakkâri and Bingöl, offering short‑term positions in education‑related projects and forest‑conservation work. A week later the government announced a nationwide partnership between İŞKUR and VakıfBank, formalised by Labour and Social Security Minister Vedat Işıkhan, to finance and coordinate employment services and place three million young people into jobs over the next three years.

On 4 August 2026 the partnership was sealed with the signing of the “İstihdama Değer İş Birliği Protokolü”. The protocol links İŞKUR’s job‑placement network with VakıfBank’s development‑oriented financing, explicitly targeting women’s labour‑force participation as well as youth employment. Minister Işıkhan highlighted June 2026 labour‑market data: youth unemployment fell to 12.8 % and female unemployment to 9.8 %, the lowest rates in 21 and 14 years respectively, with 4.692 million young people and 10.831 million women already employed. He also noted Turkey’s leading role in global youth‑employment growth from 2007‑2024 and the fastest rise in women’s participation among OECD members.

Together, the developments show a shift from localized hiring pilots to a broader, financially backed strategy to expand youth and women’s employment across Turkey.

## Claims

- A protocol titled 'İstihdama Değer İş Birliği Protokolü' was signed between İŞKUR and VakıfBank. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The protocol aims to employ three million youths within three years. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The protocol targets support for women and youth employment through financing and services. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Turkey was the world’s leading country in increasing youth employment between 2007 and 2024. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Youth unemployment fell to 12.8% in June 2026, the lowest level in 21 years. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Female unemployment fell to 9.8% in June 2026, the lowest level in 14 years. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- As of June 2026, 4,692,000 youths and 10,831,000 women are employed in Turkey. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Since 2002, İŞKUR has facilitated employment for 5,742,000 youths and 5,815,000 women. (corroborated by 6 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-04: Turkey's İŞKUR and VakıfBank sign protocol to create 3 million youth jobs

Turkey's İŞKUR and VakıfBank signed a protocol to create 3 million jobs for youth in three years, also boosting women’s employment; youth unemployment fell to 12.8% and female unemployment to 9.8% in June 2026.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkeys-ikhan-unveils-ikurvakfbank-pact-to-employ-3-million-youth

### 2026-07-25: Turkey's ISKUR launches regional employment programs in Hakkari and Bingöl

İŞKUR starts two regional hiring drives: 26 spots in Hakkâri (Aug‑Sep 2026) and 30 spots in Bingöl's forest and nature sectors (Aug 2026‑May 2027), each with strict eligibility and daily pay of 1,375 TL.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkeys-iskur-launches-regional-employment-programs-in-hakkari-and-bingl

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Cite as: Turkey's İŞKUR youth employment drive. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkeys-ikur-youth-employment-drive