114 trainees, mostly women, gained a profession

Certificate celebration at the Employment-Guaranteed Pastry and Bakery Course

The Employment-Guaranteed Pastry and Bakery Course, implemented by Bornova Municipality in cooperation with the Izmir Chamber of Confectioners and Pastry Makers and with the support of the Izmir Soroptimist Club, has been successfully completed. A total of 114 trainees benefited from the training programs held in three terms at the Kitchen Workshop located in EVKA-3.

At the certificate ceremony held for the final term, 37 trainees received their certificates. In the cake competition organized as part of the program, “Honey Land” won first place, “Deep Blue” came second, and the cake named “Half a Bread” placed third.

300 hours of training, journeyman certificate, and job guarantee

Trainees who successfully completed the intensive 300-hour training program earned the right to receive a journeyman certificate. Throughout the program, participants received comprehensive training not only in pastry and bakery arts but also in food hygiene, occupational health and safety, labor law, communication, stress management, interview techniques, résumé preparation, branding, and artificial intelligence. Graduates gained the opportunity to make a strong start in their professional careers with an employment guarantee.

Hatice İmer: “May this profession open the path of life for our girls”

Hatice İmer, President of the Turkish Soroptimist Clubs Federation, stated that she was very pleased to take part in the project as an instructor and thanked all contributing institutions. İmer emphasized her belief that the profession gained by the trainees would help them stand strong and confident in life.

İhsan Esen: “We don’t give fish; we teach how to fish”

İhsan Esen, President of the Izmir Chamber of Confectioners and Pastry Makers, expressed that the greatest value of the project is providing people with a sustainable profession. He noted that approximately 3,600 trainees have gained a profession at this center to date, and 42 individuals have opened their own businesses. Esen also stated that graduates are monitored even after employment. He thanked the Brot Gegen Not Foundation in Germany and the Soroptimist Club for their financial support, as well as Bornova Municipality for providing the venue.

Jeanette Senghass: “Certificates will open doors for a lifetime”

Speaking on behalf of the Bread Against Need Foundation (Brot Gegen Not), Jeanette Senghass stated that the products created by the trainees are the most concrete indicator of the education they received. Emphasizing that the foundation’s main goal is to enable people to become self-sufficient, Senghass expressed their satisfaction in reaching many women through this project.

Consul General Ralf Schröer: “The high number of female graduates is commendable”

German Consul General Ralf Schröer stated that the foundation has been providing free vocational training to disadvantaged youth worldwide for 26 years. He noted that the majority of the graduates being women is particularly noteworthy and wished success to all 114 graduates in their professional lives.

Şule Sakızoğlu: “From dough to hope, a path opening to the future”

Şule Sakızoğlu, President of the Izmir Soroptimist Club, stated that Soroptimist clubs have been working for over 100 years to improve women’s lives. She emphasized that through the “From Dough to Hope” project, a new path toward the future has been opened for 114 women and young girls. She thanked the project partners, trainers, and Bornova Municipality.

Yasin Barut: “We will continue to support women-focused projects”

Yasin Barut, Director of Culture, Arts and Social Affairs at Bornova Municipality, conveyed the greetings of Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki, who could not attend the ceremony due to the February 6 earthquake commemoration programs. Highlighting the long-term and multi-stakeholder structure of the project, Barut stated that they will continue to support projects aimed at empowering women.