The role of career centers in combating youth unemployment and a career center model

Countries are currently facing a growing problem of youth unemployment. Today, local authorities and governments, in both developed and developing countries have difficulties in increasing employment opportunities. A successful integration and inclusion of the young population to join the established labor market will also serve to transform an important potential for the future of countries into an advantage. Youth unemployment rates increased in recent years have drawn attention to the importance of the youth employment problem. Within the scope of this study, university career centers were examined and interviews were held with business people from different sectors. The aim of the research is to present a functional career center model in the light of the opinions of university career center employees and the data collected from various sectors. Within the scope of this study, designed as a mixed method research, quantitative data were obtained from 137 people through a questionnaire shared online via Google Forms, and qualitative data from 68 people using a semi-structured interview form developed by the researcher himself. Considering the findings of the research, it was observed that career centers operate under different names, they were established mostly on the basis of regulations and directives of the rectors, there were mostly no model taken during the establishment of the majority of the career centers, the number of employees in most centers is 5 or less, and that mostly bachelors were employed. In addition, the participants consider that it is highly important to establish career centers as easily accessible buildings, to develop the quality and quantity of personnel, to communicate with stakeholders, to include student clubs into the process, and to evaluate the feedback collected regarding the activities carried out. Industry representatives expect universities to focus on R&D research, 21st century competencies and to graduate their students with high qualifications. Sector representatives additionally emphasized that they are ready to cooperate with career centers. The career center model developed in the light of the findings is based on the Career center - Businesses / Other Institutions - Student triangle. In the model, the career center is structured as an accessible, activity-oriented, collaborative, well-equipped, qualified and communicative institution. In order to reduce youth unemployment rates, it is presented as a requirement to implement more specific career development and orientation policies that will be followed carefully by experts in the field of students during their vocational education and university education.