Mining and geological engineers, in particular, are turning to countries like Canada and Australia for more attractive working conditions. According to TÜİK (Turkish Statistical Institute) data, young graduates of bioengineering, management engineering, electronics engineering, mathematical engineering, and computer engineering are choosing European countries. Mümin Güler, President of the Mühendis Tek-Sen Energy Union, states that the emigration of qualified engineers abroad poses a serious threat to our country’s development goals.
Brain drain manifests itself as a skilled workforce moves abroad in search of better living and career opportunities. Mining and geological engineers, in particular, migrate to countries like Canada and Australia for better living standards and career opportunities. Young engineering graduates are choosing countries like Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the United States. Mümin Güler, President of the Engineer Tek-Sen Energy Union, noted that Australia is a leading producer of iron ore, gold, lithium, nickel, and coal, while Canada is a leading producer of gold, potash, uranium, and nickel. He said, “This diversity of resources offers sustained employment and career opportunities for mining and geological engineers. The expansion of engineering employment opportunities across Europe is increasing the demand for a skilled workforce.”
“Canada and Australia encourage the migration of Turkish engineers with the opportunities they offer.”
Güler stated that the melting salaries and income uncertainty caused engineers to consider more attractive job opportunities abroad due to inflation, and added, “There is a high demand for professionals specializing in fields such as mining and geological engineering, especially in countries like Canada and Australia.” ”There are. Furthermore, high salaries, ample career opportunities, and improved living standards encourage the migration of Turkish engineers. While the average annual salary in Canada is between 110,000 and 140,000 Canadian dollars, it is around 150,000 and 170,000 Australian dollars in Australia. In Turkey, the salaries of public engineers are significantly eroding due to inflation. Furthermore, skilled immigration visas like Canada’s Express Entry and Australia’s Skilled Independent/State Sponsored visas allow Turkish engineers to easily pursue their professions. This accelerates the outflow of qualified engineers abroad and clearly demonstrates the extent of the brain drain. For example, according to 2021 data from Engineers Australia, there are 1,920 qualified engineers born in Turkey in Australia, 699 of whom work in engineering. This clearly demonstrates the extent of the brain drain,” he said.
Young engineers are turning to Europe
Güler emphasized that there is a significant workforce shortage in engineering and technology fields not only in Canada and Australia, but also in Europe. He said, “When we look at platforms specific to the UK, we see the sector’s growing needs and growing vacancies. This demonstrates the expansion of employment opportunities in engineering across Europe and the increasing demand for a skilled workforce. Furthermore, according to TÜİK’s 2021–2023 Higher Education Brain Drain Statistics, the brain drain rates in the IT, communication technologies, engineering, manufacturing, and construction fields in Turkey are quite striking. Young graduates of bioengineering, management engineering, electronic engineering, mathematical engineering, and computer engineering are particularly likely to seek employment abroad. ”Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and the US are among the top countries preferred by qualified engineers migrating from Turkey. This data demonstrates both the continuing need for a skilled workforce in Europe and the tendency for Turkish talent to seek employment abroad,” he said.
“Alım gücünün düşmesi kamu mühendislerini yurt dışındaki cazip fırsatlara yöneltiyor”
Güler emphasized that they expect authorities to take the necessary steps to prevent the emigration of qualified engineers from Turkey. He said, “In this context, I believe that the implementation of a Professional Law that clarifies engineering profession definitions and increases career opportunities will prevent the qualified workforce from moving abroad. Improving working conditions, reducing the intense workload, increasing motivation, and strengthening support systems will encourage engineers to stay in the country. In today’s inflationary environment, the purchasing power of our salaries is decreasing, negatively impacting our motivation; this, in turn, is driving public engineers to seek attractive opportunities abroad. The implementation of the Professional Law and the inflation-indexed increase in salaries will ensure the sustainability of the engineering sector in our country and reduce the risk of brain drain.”
