Manisa Industrial Park has rolled up its sleeves to pave the way for mentally handicapped young people to work in a factory environment with the ZEKİ+ Project, which is planned as the second phase of the Manisa IP Protected Workplace (ZEKİ) Life Center for the Mentally Handicapped, which is a first in its field in Turkey.
Within the scope of the Ministry of Industry and Technology’s Social Development Support Program (SOGEP) for 2020, which was developed for the youth of Manisa, whom they employ in the sheltered workplaces of the leading companies of Manisa IP, in order to ensure their transition to the factory environment with training and support. The opening and information meeting was held online with all the stakeholders of the ZEKİ+ Project, which was entitled to receive grant support from Zafer Development Agency.
Making the opening speech of the meeting, Manisa IP Regional Manager Funda KARABORAN stated that they are proud of providing employment to mentally handicapped youth with the ZEKİ Life Center, which they started working for 6 years ago, and helping them become more socialized with their achievements during this period. KARABORAN said, “We are making a great effort together with the industrialists of our region in order to make our project known and widespread in our country and to raise awareness in the society. In the second phase of our project, we decided to implement ZEKİ+, the continuation of the ZEKİ Life Center, in order to prevent sheltered workplaces from becoming isolated places where people with disabilities are employed.”
Speaking at the meeting, Manisa İŞKUR Provincial Director Eşref ASLAN thanked the Manisa Industrial Park and all other supporting institutions and companies, who were at the head of the project, which enabled the disabled individuals to be integrated into both the economy and society. Expressing that they are proud as an institution to be in cooperation since the beginning of the process, ASLAN said, “As an institution, we are ready to provide all kinds of support to the ZEKİ+ Project, which aims to create employment opportunities for disabled individuals as well as disadvantaged women.”
Manisa Family, Labor and Social Services Provincial Directorate Social Service Specialist and Project Coordinator Savaş MIZRAK thanked everyone who contributed to this project, which will especially support the employment of disadvantaged groups.
Manisa IP Companies, which have sheltered workplaces in ZEKİ Life Center, also stated that they would be happy to take part in the 2nd phase of the project as well as in the 1st phase.
