To identify problems and solutions of apprenticeship basic training in the furniture and design industry

Based on the method of implementing a questionnaire, this study aims to reveal the present conditions and develop suggestions for solution on the issues of identification of obstacles faced by the apprentices, journeyman and master during their training in the furniture and decoration industry and vocational training centers; whether the total number hours, total duration and content of the classes in training programme are sufficient or not; whether the training centers are equipped with up to date technologies with contemporary constitutions of training methodology, management and equipment; problems between the enterprises and the centers; the extend to which the centers are familiar with the IT systems and relevant applications that have been used widely; and other issues worth mentioning.Within the study the existing data were collected through usage of a questionnaire including 29 questions answered by a total of 302 people including 120 apprentices, 125 foreman and 54 skilled workman who were participating vocational training centers (VTC) in 14 cities (Adana, Ankara, Burdur, Bursa, Çanakkale, İstanbul, Mardin, Nevşehir, Samsun, Sivas, Şanlıurfa, Zonguldak, Iğdır ve Kilis) while some infrastructure visits had also been paid to some of these centers.To analyse the data collected, sampling method was used while the data were processed through SPSS program with the final analysis as presented in the tables were achieved, and that the interpretation of the data were made on the basis of the analysis results.The following represents some of the suggestion derived as a result of the analysis made: 1.) Increasing the number of hours allocated to physical education, social activities, computer sciences and design, 2.) Provision of a projection to each class, 3.) Increasing the weekly curriculum, 4.) Introduction of exemption from compulsory clothing regulation during the training sessions, 5.) Extending the duration of breaks (to 10 minutes), 6.) Reorganising training duration as 6 hours on two days, 7.) Furnishing schools with modern technological equipment, 8.) provision of vocational high school diploma upon graduation, 9.) Classification of monthly payments in accordance with the job, 10.) Provision of training on furniture design in night sessions, 11.) Scheduling training sessions except for Sundays, 12.) Stopping some enterprises to schedule for 6 working days a week, 13.) Provision of student advisor and security staff at the centers.In line with the analysis of the data and interpretation of the results, it is considered beneficial to re-examine all aspects of vocational apprenticeship training system in Turkey.