Trainees who want to leave the İŞKUR on-the-job training program often want to know what penalties or consequences may apply. Through İŞKUR, unemployed people registered with the institution who attend employer-organized trainings receive a daily allowance for the duration of the vocational course. Attendance is mandatory for these courses, and an İŞKUR on-the-job training participant attendance sheet is kept.
İŞKUR has clearly defined participants’ attendance rights, the circumstances that require termination of the agreement, the reasons for leaving a course that trigger penalties, and the conditions under which leaving will not result in sanctions. In this article we cover all program details, including leaving the On-the-Job Training Program.
Eligibility Requirements for İŞKUR On-the-Job Training Program
The On-the-Job Training Program is designed to provide vocational skills and improve employment prospects for unemployed people registered with İŞKUR, primarily young people between 18 and 29. According to Article 52 of the regulation published by İŞKUR, participation requirements are as follows:
- Be registered as unemployed with İŞKUR,
- Be at least 15 years old,
- Not be a first- or second-degree relative of the employer organizing the course,
- Not be the spouse of the employer,
- Not be retired,
- Not have been employed by the employer organizing the course in the three months prior to the program start date,
- Not be a student at an education institution other than open education,
- Not have worked as a salaried employee at any workplace in the last month
Candidates who meet these conditions will gain the right to participate after submitting a written declaration that they meet the requirements. Accepted applicants can join the program by signing a contract with the employer.
Workplace Requirements to Run an İŞKUR On-the-Job Training Program
In addition to participant requirements, the regulation also sets conditions for workplaces that will run on-the-job training programs.
On-the-Job Training Programs will be opened for vocational fields such as;
- Cyber Security,
- Renewable Energy,
- Cloud Computing,
- Coding
For these specified sectors, workplaces applying to run a program must meet the following:
- Have at least two insured employees,
- Be registered with İŞKUR, including public institutions that have private-sector partnerships,
- Have the program approved by the institution
These conditions are required for approval.
How Is the On-the-Job Training Program Implemented?
İŞKUR defines the application conditions and procedures for the program. Programs are approved and implemented according to these rules and procedures.
- Programs are arranged for up to 240 days.
- Daily training lasts a minimum of 5 hours and a maximum of 8 hours.
- Weekly training cannot exceed 45 hours or 6 days.
- Participants receive a daily allowance of 211.55 TL under the İŞKUR on-the-job training program.
- Companies with more than 10 employees can request trainees equal to 10% of their staff.
- Employers are not required to request all available quota at once; they may make up to three requests to İŞKUR within one month.
- A 30-day interruption in the course is permitted.
- At least 20% of the participants must be employed by the training employer or another employer in the same sector for at least 60 days following completion of the program.
Required Documents to Apply for the On-the-Job Training Program
Both employers and trainees must submit documents to İŞKUR when applying for a program. Employers should provide:
- Request letter,
- Commitment statement,
- Pre-application form,
- Copy of tax certificate,
- Chamber registration certificate,
- List of insured employees for the last three months,
- Notarized signature circular,
- Commercial activity document,
- Trade registry gazette,
- Copy of the authorized person’s identity
Applicants should submit these documents. Trainees must submit:
- Copy of identity card,
- Original and copy of diploma or student certificate,
- Passport photo,
- Medical report stating ability to work in heavy jobs if required by the program,
- SGK service statement
These documents must be submitted to İŞKUR during application.
What Do Participants Gain When the Program Ends?
A frequent question from current and prospective participants is what happens after the İŞKUR-supported On-the-Job Training Program ends. According to Article 51 of the regulation, at least 20% of trainees participating in the program must be employed for 60 days after the program ends either:
- Within the workplace that organized the On-the-Job Training Program, or
- At a different workplace operating in the same occupational field
If this employment requirement is not met, the employer will be prevented from organizing a new On-the-Job Training Program. No financial penalty is imposed on the employer; rather, their right to organize future programs is suspended.
What Are the Attendance Requirements?
Attendance rules for participants are specified in Article 54 of the regulation.
According to the regulation;
- The total period a participant is absent cannot exceed 10% of the program duration.
- In addition, participants have a maximum of 5 days of medical leave supported by a doctor’s report.
The medical leave is a maximum allowance; if it is exceeded, excess days are counted toward the 10% absentee limit. Participants who do not attend will not receive the course allowance for those days.
In Which Cases Is the On-the-Job Training Agreement Terminated?
The regulation carefully defines cases that require termination of the On-the-Job Training agreement. Participants face termination and sanctions under the following conditions:
According to the regulation;
- If the participant’s absences exceed 10% of the program duration,
- If the participant leaves the program without justification,
- If the participant fails to comply with the terms of the contract and the employer intervenes for that reason
When a contract is terminated for these reasons, the participant will face penalties. Terminated participants:
- Cannot participate in a new On-the-Job Training Program for 12 months,
- Must repay the training allowance they received up to the termination date to İŞKUR with legal interest
Can a Participant Resign from the On-the-Job Training Program?
Participants who wish to resign may do so without incurring penalties under certain conditions. Participants can mutually terminate the contract with the employer if less than one quarter of the program has passed. They may also have the contract terminated if there are valid reasons that prevent continued participation.
Participants who terminate under these conditions do not face penalties. The party terminating the contract must notify the İŞKUR Provincial Directorate in writing the same day to obtain approval for the termination. If approval is not obtained, the contract will not be considered terminated. Valid reasons that allow contract termination and should be explained in the petition to the İŞKUR Provincial Directorate include:
- Mandatory military service,
- Pregnancy,
- Childbirth,
- Detention,
- Long-term health problems,
- Employment in another job,
- Change of residence
These are accepted as valid excuses for leaving when documented properly.
Employer Responsibilities When Terminating a Contract
Employers have the authority to terminate a participant’s contract in cases that warrant termination. If they terminate without valid cause, they will be prevented from organizing a new On-the-Job Training Program for 12 months.
If a participant violates contract rules, exceeds absentee limits, or damages equipment used in the program, the employer may unilaterally terminate the contract without facing sanctions.
Sample Resignation Petition for the İŞKUR On-the-Job Training Program
Those who participated in the İŞKUR on-the-job training program and later decide to resign for valid reasons can download and complete a sample resignation petition provided by İŞKUR to formally request termination of their participation.