As the leader of Türkiye’s cement and concrete sector, OYAK Cement has introduced its new social responsibility project, CEMENTA, which places women’s professional development and employment at its core, in line with its gender equality vision. Initiated as a pilot in Ankara, Mardin, and Adana, the project aims to break traditional stereotypes in the industrial sector by strengthening female representation, particularly in technical expertise and blue-collar positions. CEMENTAs will take roles in production line operations, mechanical and electrical maintenance units, as well as laboratory and quality control departments. The project will also promote women’s employment in digitally evolving production processes and sustainability-focused technical roles.
The CEMENTA Project was launched with the vision of breaking traditional norms in the industrial sector, placing gender equality at the very center of production, and creating alternative career paths for women. Aligned directly with OYAK Cement’s sustainability goals, the initiative is built on the belief that female representation in heavy industry should not be limited to office environments but should also be strengthened in factories—the heart of production. The company aims to transform the perception of male-dominated roles by combining women’s technical competencies with modern technologies, while contributing to social development through an inclusive employment model.
“An End-to-End Designed Career Journey”
Eda Güzeldemir Demiray, OYAK Cement Country HR Director, stated:
“With CEMENTA, we offer young women not only a job opportunity but a fully designed end-to-end career journey. Through technical training, on-the-job practices, certification programs, and mentorship support, we foster both the professional and personal development of our employees. Our goal is to increase the number of female experts at the most critical points of production and contribute to a lasting transformation in the industry.
The project also plays a significant role in making the vision of gender equality visible in production areas. CEMENTA is highly important in demonstrating that many roles traditionally assigned to men in industry and production can be successfully undertaken by women, and in offering job and development opportunities to young women in fields often perceived as closed to them.
Our CEMENTAs, who will be equipped with training and practical experience from the very first stage, will rapidly advance in their fields and grow both professionally and personally. We believe that the CEMENTA Project, which we aim to develop progressively, will not only cultivate highly valuable female technical experts for Türkiye’s industry but will also lead a perceptual transformation within our sector. The young CEMENTAs who begin this journey today will inspire and encourage many other young women in the future through their success stories.”
Murat Sela: Turning Commitments into Action Is Part of Our Culture
Evaluating the CEMENTA Project, OYAK Cement CEO Murat Sela said:
“At OYAK Cement, one of the most fundamental aspects of our culture is truly embracing our commitments and values and implementing them in a way that creates tangible value, rather than merely symbolic actions. The CEMENTA Project has become one of the flagship initiatives that reflects this approach.
Within the framework of our sustainability and gender equality goals, we do not see women’s participation in the workforce as something limited to office or managerial roles, as we believe this does not align with the principle of equality. We consider increasing the number of female employees at the most critical points of production as a strategic priority.
With CEMENTA, we aim to establish an inclusive and sustainable employment model in heavy industry. The young female colleagues who have joined us in different provinces as part of the pilot phase will act as pioneers of CEMENTA, paving the way for many more young women to pursue careers in the industrial sector in the long term. I would like to thank all our colleagues who contributed to the design and implementation of this project and wish our young CEMENTAs great success in their career journeys.”
How Do CEMENTA Candidates Join the Program?
To reach candidates, the project follows a multi-channel strategy that includes digital platforms, local authorities, and collaborations with vocational schools. Applications are collected through the company’s career portals and regional directorates. Priority is given to women graduates of technical high schools and vocational colleges who demonstrate strong motivation to work in field operations. The selection process consists of a rigorous evaluation system including technical tests, competency-based interviews, and occupational health and safety assessments.
In the first phase of the project, a total of 15 female employees were recruited at factories in Ankara, Mardin, and Adana. These employees were assigned to critical areas of cement production, including production line operations, mechanical and electrical maintenance units, and laboratory and quality control departments. The strong interest shown by candidates in managing digitalized production lines and sustainability-oriented technical roles supports the project’s technology-driven vision.
Comprehensive Development and Career Tracking
Women employed under the CEMENTA program are offered not only job opportunities but also a holistic career journey supported by professional and personal development tools. The company closely monitors employees’ progress from technical expertise to managerial responsibilities and provides all necessary resources for sustainable career advancement. In addition to on-the-job training and certification programs to enhance their technical skills, employees also receive mentorship support to develop competencies such as communication, problem-solving, and leadership.
