Evaluation of occupational qualification process in state forest enterprises (a case of Kastamonu)

The process of certification of a section engaged in forestry activities has come to the fore as the Vocational Qualifications Authority became operational in Turkey and subsequently national vocational qualification certificates became obligatory in some professions. From this point of view, to reveal the developments related to the observations of forest management officials about forest production workers in the process after the forestry production workers, who have an important place in Turkey's forestry, are certified with the national vocational qualification certificate is aimed in this study. For this purpose, a survey study was conducted with the participation of forest engineers, forest industrial engineers and forest protection officers working in forest management directorates and regional directorates operating in Kastamonu province. The obtained data were evaluated with percentage and frequency analysis. The data obtained as a result of the study were evaluated according to both the occupational groups and the gender of the participants. Generally; participants know the "forest production workmanship" competency, which is one of the national professional qualifications. Participants think that forestry production workers with national vocational qualification certificates are generally sufficient in the unit related to cutting trees, according to their plowing, loading, and unloading works. On the other hand, forestry production workers are less competent in occupational health and safety, environmental protection, and work organization, which are mandatory units in national professional competence has been determined. Participants generally believe in the national vocational qualification process and think that it will make positive contributions to forestry. For the certification process to reach the desired goal with the national professional qualification certificate, trainings for forestry production workers can be provided, and forestry activities can be carried out with qualified workforce after certification, depending on the regulations to be made in the legislation of the institution.