With the effect of the global developments in the business world and the EU Acquis Harmonization Process, with the “Vocational Qualifications Institution Law No. 5544”, which was published in the Official Gazette dated 7 October 2006 and numbered 26312; medicine, dentistry, nursing, midwifery, pharmacy, veterinary, engineering and architectural professions and professions that require at least undergraduate education and whose entry conditions are regulated by law are excluded from the scope of the law. In order “to determine the principles of national qualifications in technical and vocational fields, based on national and international occupational standards; to establish the Vocational Qualifications Authority to establish and operate the necessary national qualification system to carry out activities related to auditing, measurement and evaluation, and certification; to ensure that the issues related to the Turkish Qualifications Framework" the process of preparing and certifying professional standards and qualifications with international validity has been initiated in all sectors, and an application that has been gradually expanded with the gradually published communiqués has been started.
According to the "Communiqué on Workplace Hazard Classes on Occupational Health and Safety", published in the Official Gazette dated 26 December 2012 and numbered 28509; metro-tunnel activities within the scope of "Construction Works" fall into the category of "very dangerous" jobs, and it has been made obligatory for all employed employees to have a professional certificate related to their work.
The Tunneling Association evaluated the issue in the Board of Directors in March 2017 and took a decision to form a Working Group to define some professions and jobs related to the sector and to apply to VQA. First of all, on 19 July 2017, an information meeting was held by VQA on the way to be followed for the “Working Group”.
In this context, an application was made to VQA and on 15 August 2017, between the Tunneling Association and VQA; A National Occupational Standard (UMS) preparation protocol was signed for Shotcrete Machine Operator (Level 3), Tunnel Drilling Machine Operator (Level 3), Tunnel Worker (Level 3), Tunnel Worker (Level 4) occupations. Within the scope of this protocol, working groups including professional performers were formed and 4 National Vocational Standards Drafts were prepared by holding workshops with groups of professionals whose standards will be prepared on different dates. The National Occupational Standard (UMS) is the minimum norm that shows what the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes and attitudes are accepted by VQA for the successful practice of a profession.
We proudly share that the qualifications of "Tunnel Worker (Level 3), Tunnel Worker (Level 4), Tunnel Drilling Machine Operator (Level 3) and Shotcrete Machine Operator (Level 3)", which we are involved in all processes with our Soner Temel Mühendislik brand and discussed at the meeting of VQA Construction Sector Committee on September 29, 2021, have been approved by the VQA Board of Directors with the decision dated 27/10/2021 and numbered 2021/134 and entered into force as "National Competence". The new standards determined will increase the qualified workforce in tunnel works; OHS will contribute to better equipped personnel in terms of quality and technical capacity.