Organized under the coordination of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR), hosted by Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU), and in partnership with regional universities, the “Central Black Sea Career Fair” (OKAF’26), held under the motto “The Era of Youth Productivity,” opened its doors to visitors with an opening ceremony.

Bringing together students and graduates from partner universities, the fair aims to support institutions and organizations operating in the region in terms of human resources, while enabling participating students to gain detailed information about professions, become familiar with companies, and receive guidance on entrepreneurship and starting their own businesses, thereby shaping their career plans.

As part of the opening of OKAF’26, Nahide Saygün Akkal, an artist of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, performed a folk music concert accompanied by the OMU Conservatory orchestra.

The opening program, held at the Atatürk Congress and Culture Center (AKM), was attended by Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Security Faruk Özçelik, Governor of Samsun Orhan Tavlı, Chief Public Prosecutor of Samsun Mehmet Sabri Kılıç, OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın, İŞKUR Deputy General Manager İbrahim Oğuzhan Yıldırım, İŞKUR Head of Support Services Department Emel Dölek Ulutaş, Samsun Provincial Director of Labour and Employment Agency Gökhan Dürümlü, rectors of partner universities, OMU senior management, district governors, mayors, representatives of public institutions, political party representatives, academics, numerous participating institutions and company officials, NGO representatives, citizens, and students.

Deputy Minister Özçelik: “Samsun is an important center where young people meet production and employment”

Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Security Faruk Özçelik emphasized the importance of the Central Black Sea Career Fair in his speech:

“In recent weeks, we launched our regional fairs under the ‘Era of Youth Productivity’ initiative in Gaziantep with the participation of our Minister. Today, we are gathered here to hold the third of these fairs, hosted by Ondokuz Mayıs University. Samsun, with its trade capacity, industrial potential, and strong university structure, holds a strategic position not only for its region but also for the development goals of our country. In this respect, we consider Samsun to be a highly valuable center for bringing our youth together with production, employment, and career opportunities.”

“Ensuring sustainability in employment has become even more important”

Highlighting the steady increase in employment in Türkiye in recent years, Özçelik stated:

“Over the past 23 years, our country has continued to grow, our working life has expanded, and our employment has steadily increased. While our population was around 65 million in the early 2000s, it has reached 86 million as of the end of 2025. The total number of employed individuals, which was around 20 million 20 years ago, has now reached 33 million as of the beginning of this year. Our unemployment rate has remained in single digits for more than 34 months and stood at 8.1 percent as of February 2026. To further improve this positive trend, one of our top priorities as a ministry is youth employment.”

“Sustaining youth participation in employment is a key priority”

Emphasizing the importance of increasing youth employment, Özçelik continued:

“With over 11.5 million young people aged 15–24 today, ensuring their sustainable participation in employment has become even more critical. In this regard, İŞKUR offers highly important programs supporting young people’s transition into working life. Between 2012 and March 2026, 1.3 million individuals benefited from vocational training programs, 38 percent of whom were young people. During the same period, 2.6 million citizens participated in on-the-job training programs, and 51 percent of these participants were young people.”

“We see young people not only as the future but also as partners of today”

Referring to İŞKUR’s contribution to employment, Özçelik stated:

“From 2002 to March 2026, İŞKUR has facilitated employment for 16 million citizens, 5.5 million of whom are young people. In 2025 alone, approximately 34 percent of the 1.5 million individuals placed in jobs were young people. In light of these figures, we do not see young people merely as a component of the future; we consider them partners of today and central actors in our development efforts.”

Governor Tavlı: “Samsun is becoming the production center of the north in the Century of Türkiye”

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Samsun Governor Orhan Tavlı highlighted Samsun’s growing strategic importance:

“I am delighted to be here in Samsun, the city of 19 May and independence, at the opening of this career fair organized under the theme ‘The Era of Youth Productivity’ with the participation of our nine regional universities, academics, and young people, hosted by OMU.”

“Samsun is now one of the most important investment and production centers”

Referring to Samsun’s role in the Century of Türkiye vision, Tavlı stated:

“We define Samsun as the production center of the north in the Century of Türkiye. From education to healthcare, industry to trade, justice to security, sports to tourism, and agriculture to transportation, Samsun has become a center of attraction. With continuously developing infrastructure and superstructure investments, Samsun has made a strong start to the Century of Türkiye. With its young, talented, and qualified workforce, Samsun now stands out as one of the most important investment and production centers in both our region and our country.”

“Our organized industrial zones are the driving force of investment”

Discussing industrial investments, Tavlı said:

“We continue our efforts together with all stakeholders to strengthen the infrastructure of our organized industrial zones, make them more attractive for the business world, and establish new industrial and technology zones.”

He also addressed young people:

“We especially encourage our youth to visit organized industrial zones, observe businesses on-site, and closely examine production processes.”

“Samsun Production Campus will strengthen the defense industry”

Tavlı also referred to defense industry investments:

“The production campus established by the Machinery and Chemical Industry in Samsun is progressing rapidly. Strategic products needed by the Turkish Armed Forces will be produced here using domestic and national resources.”

He also mentioned BAYKAR’s investment:

“The aviation and unmanned aerial vehicle production facilities to be established in Tekkeköy will guide youth employment and connect young people with high technology.”

“The career fair is a great opportunity for young people”

Emphasizing the importance of the fair, Tavlı stated:

“This career fair brings young people together with industry experts and managers, helping them shape their career goals.”

Addressing young people, he concluded:

“Work hard and persevere. You may not succeed at first or second, but if you continue patiently, you will eventually achieve success. No effort goes to waste.”

Rector Aydın: “An important platform shaping the future of our youth”

Speaking at the opening, OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın emphasized the importance of the organization:

“We are pleased and excited to host such a meaningful event that will guide the future of our youth and bring together the dynamics of our city with academia. Since 2019, Regional Career Fairs organized in cooperation with universities, public institutions, private sector organizations, and professional chambers have provided valuable platforms where young people explore sectors, establish new connections, and evaluate internship and employment opportunities, while enabling the business world to directly access qualified human resources.”

“We must educate generations that adapt to a changing world”

Addressing changing career dynamics, Aydın stated:

“Career is a journey of prestige in which individuals discover themselves and contribute their knowledge to society. Developments such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, big data, and automation are rapidly transforming not only professions but also ways of thinking and social structures. Today, employers seek individuals who can think analytically, solve problems, work in teams, and uphold ethical values. Universities must therefore educate generations that can understand the spirit of the times, adapt to change, and create added value.”

“Samsun is an emerging economic hub”

Highlighting Samsun’s economic potential, Aydın said:

“Samsun has become one of the rising economic centers of our country with its ports, organized industrial zones, logistics strength, and increasing industrial investments. Every idea and every stand at this fair will pave the way for new investments and collaborations shaping the future of our city.”

“We hope the fair will lead to valuable outcomes”

Concluding her speech, Aydın stated:

“I sincerely hope that the Central Black Sea Career Fair, organized under the slogan ‘The Era of Youth Productivity,’ will lead to strong beginnings for our students, sustainable collaborations for our companies, and lasting gains for our university and region.”

The opening ceremony of the two-day fair concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by visits of protocol members to the exhibition stands.

During the fair, approximately 45 public institutions in Hall A and more than 50 private sector representatives in Hall B at the Yaşar Doğu Faculty of Sports Sciences will host stands. Participants will have the opportunity to meet company representatives face-to-face for job and internship applications between 09:00 and 18:00 over two days. At the AKM, district municipalities of Samsun will present career opportunities in local governance.

For more information about the fair, visitors can access okaf.omu.edu.tr and the @okaf_2026 social media accounts.