A Study on the Effective Usage of Applied Courses in Furniture and Decoration Programs

AbstractSkilled manpower is considered as one of the basic factors that contribute for productive, production-based, and growth- oriented economies. For this reason, in 21st century, skilled manpower is accepted as one of the factors that carries the businesses one step ahead in a competitive environment. Maximizing the skilled manpower is possible with the systematically planned, applied and industry-indexed vocational technical education. One of the basic sectors of developing economies is furniture sector and applied training has a vital importance in terms of providing skilled manpower. Vocational technical education in Turkey at the level of higher education is carried by vocational schools in associate degree, and also carried out by high schools and technical education faculties in bachelor degree. With the furniture and decoration programs in vocational schools, it is intended to train skilled intermediate staff (furniture technician) needed by the sector. In this study, the current status of the vocational technical education at the level of higher education is analysed and especially the problems experienced in applied training are intended to present. In conclusion part some suggestions are presented which will contribute the development of workshops, practice laboratories, and technical conditions. In addition, it will also present some suggestions concerning increasing the skill level of the entire working and ready to work population. Furniture sector is preferred as base sector of this study therefore the study is carried out on effective usage of applied courses in furniture and decoration departments in associate level