Within the framework of the OIC Public Employment Services Network (OIC-PESNET) and in line with the OIC-PESNET Work Plan 2021-2022, in its capacity as the Secretariat of the OIC-PESNET, SESRIC provided facilitation and necessary technical support for the Training Webinar on “Development of Entrepreneurial Skills of Disabled People” which was organised by the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR), in its capacity as the Chair of the OIC-PESNET, on 03 August 2022.

The main objective of the training webinar was to provide insights into the good practices and support models followed by the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR) in developing the entrepreneurial skills of disabled people to encourage their active participation in the labour market. The activity touched upon the primary purpose and expected outcomes of the support mechanisms and provided details on the implementation process, rules and procedures.

The training webinar commenced with the opening remarks of Mr. Fadi Abdullah FARASIN, Assistant Director General of SESRIC, who briefed the participants on SESRIC’s efforts over the years in the fields of labour and employment as well as the Centre’s dedication towards preparing and contributing to various strategy documents, including the ones concerning Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). Mr. FARASIN also stressed on the necessity to develop an enabling and supportive environment to engage disabled people in acquiring entrepreneurial skills for their active participation in the labour market through setting efficient policies and strategies at the national level, which could play a crucial role in addressing the challenges faced in this area.

In her address, Dr. Pürnur ALTAY, Deputy Director General of the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR), referred to the various barriers that face vulnerable groups, including PWDs in labour markets, mainly due to social prejudices and beliefs rather than their own disabilities. “As public employment institutions, we should empower disabled job seekers, support inclusive workplaces continuously with various policies to create an inclusive labour market and peaceful society”, Dr. ALTAY stated.

The OIC-PESNET is an OIC platform established to create closer cooperation among the national public employment services agencies/ authorities of the OIC Member Countries through sharing knowledge, experience and best practices. SESRIC assumes the role of the Secretariat of the OIC-PESNET and carries out a specific capacity-building programme, namely; Public Employment Services Capacity Building Programme (PES-CaB), to support the efforts of the OIC Member Countries in developing the capacities of the institutional and human resources in the field of public employment services. The Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR) carries out the role of Chair of the OIC-PESNET for the period of 2021-2022. For more details about the Network and its activities, please visit: https://www.sesric.org/network-pesnet.php

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