İŞKUR social work programs offer university students a productive way to spend their summer terms, helping them gain practical work experience while contributing to public service. Organized in cooperation with İŞKUR and implemented within public institutions, these social work programs cover the following areas:
- Library organization and maintenance
- Restoration, conservation, and promotion of cultural heritage
- Nature conservation
- Support for cultural values and social services of public institutions
How to Apply to İŞKUR Social Work Programs?
Program applications are submitted online through İŞKUR’s official website during announced application periods. You can apply via the website at www.iskur.gov.tr by logging in as an online user. Once a program is announced on the site, applications can be made within four days.
CLICK TO APPLY TO THE İŞKUR PROGRAM
What Documents Are Required When Applying?
Since applications are completed online, no physical documents are typically required at the time of application. Applicants must, however, prove that they are currently enrolled and actively attending a higher education institution. A student certificate obtained through the e-Government portal can be uploaded to the system. If the system shows an error indicating the student is not enrolled, applicants may be requested to submit their student certificate in person at the Provincial Directorate Service Center. Students who are listed as insured in the system are not eligible for the program.
Eligibility Requirements for the İŞKUR Social Work Program
There are specific eligibility criteria for applying to the social work programs. Students who meet these requirements may apply.
The required conditions are as follows:
- All students enrolled in higher education may apply, except for open education, master’s, and doctoral students.
- Applicants must be actively registered in an associate or undergraduate program.
- It does not matter whether the student attends a private or public university.
- Students are encouraged to choose areas that align with their skills and education—for example, students with strong English skills should prefer roles like teaching English to primary school students.
Who Cannot Apply?
Certain categories of students are not permitted to apply. These include:
- Open education, master’s, and doctoral students
- University students under 18 years of age
- Students who have not completed spring term courses
- Students who will take courses during the summer term
- Students who do not have active university registration at the time of application or program execution
- Students who are employed in any insured job at the time of application or during the program
- Students who are on internship during the program period
- Students whose cumulative GPA is below 2.00 in the transcript system and/or below 53.33 in the YÖK system
- Students registered at institutions not affiliated with the Higher Education Council (such as some Cyprus or foreign universities)
How Much Are Students Paid?
Participants work three days per week. Each workday is 8 hours (7.5 hours of work and a 30-minute break). For each day worked, students receive 71 TL, which amounts to 213 TL per week.
When Are Payments Made?
Payments for the social work program begin after the student completes seven days of work. After seven days, the implementing institution must submit payroll documents, attendance records, and SGK registration notifications to the Provincial Directorate of Labor and Employment. Once these documents are reviewed and approved, funds are transferred to the contractor institution within seven days, and the institution then pays the student.
In Which Months Do the Programs Run?
Program dates are set annually based on current conditions. Generally, applications take place in June, and the program typically runs through July, August, and September.
Can Final-Year Students Participate?
According to İŞKUR, any student who is actively enrolled in a university may apply. However, if a student graduates during the program, they will be removed from participation.
Is İŞKUR Registration Required?
Registration with İŞKUR is required to participate in the social work program. The registration must be active. To keep the registration active under the “job seeker” profile, the applicant must update their education information, including primary, secondary, high school, and current university details.
How Are Participants Selected?
Selection for social work programs is based on eligibility rather than application order. Each program has a set quota. Each student may participate in up to three programs in a single summer term. If applications exceed the quota, selection is made by a public notary drawing to determine the number of primary and equal number of alternate participants. As a result, not every applicant will be admitted; alternates are listed in order following the primary participants.
Withdrawal and Sanctions
If students present a valid reason, they can withdraw from the social work program without penalty. Accepted reasons include:
Valid reasons include:
- Failure to sign the Participation Commitment when selected
- Absence from work for more than five days with the knowledge of the contractor and İŞKUR
- Resumption of academic courses in the student’s department
- Detention or imprisonment exceeding five days by authorized authorities
- Starting a job verified through SGK records
- Starting an internship
- Illness documented by medical reports exceeding five days
- Need to care for a first-degree relative
- Natural disasters or emergencies (earthquake, flood, fire) that prevent attendance, supported by official documents
- Officially documented change of residence between cities
- Leaving for military service on the scheduled departure date under the Military Service Law
- Loss of student status during the program
Absence without a valid reason, or failure to attend the program without justification, results in a 24-month ban from participating in any İŞKUR-run program or course, including the social work program.
Are Participants Insured?
Students participating in the social work program are insured since they perform public duties under the ministry and İŞKUR. These insurance contributions count toward their retirement records.
Do Participants Have Leave Rights?
Participants’ leave is granted with the contractor institution’s approval and is limited to five days during a summer term. No payment is made for leave days.
What Questions Are Asked During Application?
Online applications require answers to a set of basic questions on the İŞKUR website. These typically include:
- Program number
- Province
- Program dates
- Field of work
- Implementation site