Apprenticeship
Foundation Innove and its partners initiated the new work-based study method in 2003. In comparison with school-based studies the apprenticeship involved more practical training as the apprentices learned their profession by performing actual tasks given by the supervisor. The theoretical part comprised one third of the study period in order to support the acquisition of work experience. The form of apprenticeship was similar to the traditional relationship of master and prentice where the master passed on the necessary knowledge and attitudes for becoming a good craftsman.
2/3 of the training period consisted of practical training in enterprises and only 1/3 of the time was spent at school acquiring necessary theoretical knowledge. In enterprise training was supervised by one appointed tutor who could have up to 4 apprentices at a time.
Enterprises had to pass an independent assessment before they could be recognised as a study base. This helped the enterprise to see if their employees were ready to supervise young learners, if the company owned necessary equipment and which would be the best ways to supervise apprentices. It also gives enterprises the possibility to influence the studies undertaken so that the training would correspond to the actual demand in the labour market.
Developing apprenticeship system started with implementation of Phare project in 2003, where work-based study method was piloted in 7 schools. The 2 target groups of Phare project were: drop outs from basic education and young people with secondary education, but without any vocational skills.
Under the Phare project the concept document for work-linked training was developed.
Phare project was followed by ESF project in October 2005 which was foremost aimed at people with basic or secondary education but without professional skills. Yet the apprenticeship form was also suitable as in-service training for adults or people already practicing their profession. The ESF project involved already 184 assessed enterprises and theoretical studies were organised in 16 VET institutions all over Estonia.
The study duration varied from 40 to 60 weeks and training was organised in 30 different professions.
Legislation
The work-based training was included as a new type of training in the Law on Vocational Education Institutions (passed 24.11.2005) and the ministerial order for implementation of the work-based training was passed on the 21.03.2007.
After passing the ministerial order all VET institutions offered apprenticeship training in addition to regular school-based studies.
Working Areas
