Developments in VET in 2008
December 2008
Leaders of VET related ESF programmes meet
On December 3-4 the leaders of 6 ESF programmes, designed to develop VET and Lifelong Learning in Estonia met in Rakvere to share what has been accomplished in 2008 and discuss the plans for 2009. A special emphasis was on how to improve the cooperation between these programmes. The following programmes have been set up to improve VET in Estonia: „The development of Estonian Qualification System“, the „Professional training on adults and developme nt activities“, „Training of Adults in Informal training centres“, „Promoting Adult Education“, „Developing E-studies in VET institutions“, „Developing the content of VET in 2008-2013“ and „Promoting VET“.
Call for Proposals for ESF measure 1.3.1
On December 8, Foundation Innove and the Ministry of Social Affairs announced that calls for proposals are open for the measure 1.3.1 “Increasing the Availability of Qualified Labour Force”. The applicants are allowed to organise transnational activities with partners from EU, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Island. The deadline for applications is January 27, 2009.
Information seminar on Cedefop activities and the new publication
On December 12, Refernet Estonia held its information seminar for 55 people in Tallinn. The topics covered were the role of Cedefop in promoting VET and Lifelong learning in EU“, the Bordeaux Communique and the Cedefop study on Skills needs in Europe until 2020.
A new booklet "Skill Needs on European Labour market until 2020 and Changes in Sectors" was presented and distributed to the participants. The booklet, published by Foundation Innove, introduces the Cedefop study on Skill Needs (2008) and is based on the synthesis report and „Focus on 2020“. The Agora conference (Feb 2008) materials form the basis of the first chapter („The Challenges for the European Labour Market“). The changes in sectors relate the developments in 6 sectors (agri-food, tourism, nanotechnology, health care, e-skills and green economy) where Cedefop has carried out workshops, published papers and held conferences. The bibliography gives an overview of sources for further study.
New Labour Law
On December 17th , a new labour law was passed by the parliament after almost a year of heated discussions in the society. It will come into effect on July 1st, 2009. The new law embodies the principles of flexicurity. According to the Minister of Social Affairs, it will increase flexibility on the labour market and thereby give a boost to the economy as a whole.
November 2008
I-Conference "Innovation in VET"
On November 3-4 the I-Conference „Innovation in VET“ took place with 150 participants in Tallinn. The presenters were from Scotland, Ireland, US and Estonia. New ideas were exchanged on what it means to be entrepreneurial and several best practices were brought out as examples. On the second day the participants were divided into 4 workshops where the ideas born the day before were forged into projects, waiting to be funded from ESF. The I- conference was also an occasion to celebrate the 5th anniversary of Foundation Innove.
Information Seminar on EQF (Estonian Qualifications Framework)
On November 13 the Qualification Authority held its information seminar in Tallinn. The implementation of EQF in Estonia and the concept of learning outcomes was introduced to the general public. Also, the ESF programme of the Qualification Authority „The development of Estonian Qualification System“ was presented by which the new framewoirk will be implemented in Estonia. A similar seminar was held in Southern Estonia on December 9.
October 2008
VET information newsletter
In late October, the new monthly VET information newsletter was released electronically to over 500 subscribers. The newsletter attempts to involve a very broad base of contributors, including the Qualification Authority, the Chamber of Commerce, ReferNet Estonia, VET institutions and many others. The newsletter is housed on the new web page of Foundation Innove and published by the VET promotion programme, financed by the ESF 2007-2013 funds.
September 2008
Joint seminar in Haapsalu
On September 16-17, a joint seminar of the Estonian VET Promotion Organization and the Ministry of Education and Research took part in Haapsalu VET Center. The progress on the existing “VET System Development Plan 2005-2008) was evaluated by presenting 5 different views on the fulfilment of the plan mediated by the representatives of the ministry, the employers, the local government, the students and 2 different VET schools (a big regional city VET centre and a small rural specialized school). The draft of the ”VET Strategy for 2009-2013“ development plan was under discussion. Workshops, where the participants were VET policy makers, school directors and teachers carried out a SWOT analysis and proposed changes to the draft, which will be the basis of the new development plan.
New book - “Education in Estonia and Finland and changes in EU educational Policy in 1990-2000” - published
A book “Education in Estonia and Finland and changes in EU educational Policy in 1990-2000” was published as a joint project within a cooperation project “Interreg III” between Tallinn University in Estonia and Turkku University in Finland. The book gives a comparative analysis of the education systems in the two countries and an overview of the changes in EU educational policies, including VET, lifelong learning, qualifications, the quality of education, etc.
July 2008
The state funded study places allotted for CVET for adults
On July 21, 2008, The Ministry of Education and Research confirmed the state funded study places for working adults for their continuous training in 2008/2009. 8500 working adults take part in 618 different courses for 22 million EEK (1,3 million EUR)
The courses will be held in 37 VET schools and institutions of professional higher education all over Estonia. Professional skills can be acquired and enhanced in those courses, retraining is also possible.
The project, which is funded from the ESF, gives opportunities to those who cannot afford to participate in training and who would otherwise be excluded from lifelong learning.
June 2008
Investment plans with the help from ERDF
The Government approved two investment plans for 2008-2013 on June 19, 2008. To upgrade the learning facilities of VET institutions, 3,63 billion Estonian kroons (~232 mln EUR) will be spent from ERDF and Estonian state budget. There are 94 objects on the list and study environments will be upgraded in 30 VET institutions all over Estonia. 2,61 billion will come from ERDF and the state will add 1,02 billion kroons.
To develop the infrastructure for youth work in Estonia 316 million kroons will be spent on 47 objects in different places in Estonia. New facilities will be designed and built, old facilities will be renovated and the surroundings landscaped. New equipment will be purchased.
„Development of Career and guidance services” Graduation Seminar
The 2005-2008 ESF project „Development of Career and guidance services” graduation seminar was held on June 10, 2008. The aim of the project was to improve the quality of career and guidance counseling, thereby facilitating the participation of the members of the society in lifelong learning and improving their competitiveness.
A web portal „Pathfinder” was created for youth, adults and counselors. The section for adult learners which contains over 160 pages of guidance materials for adults is especially significant since there has not been a high-quality guidance portal for adults in Estonia.
May 2008
New Professions Act
The Parliament approved the new Professions Act on May 22, 2008. The most important change from the old Act will be a transition from 5-level framework to 8-level qualification framework. The Professions Act will create a much better link between the labour market and VET by taking into account the learning outcomes. The Professions Act gives a legislative basis for the development of the Estonian qualification system which will ensure the correspondence of the Estonian system with the European Qualification Framework.
The Act will come into force on September 1st, 2008.
Apprenticeship training graduation seminar
ESF project “The apprenticeship training in enterprises” 2005-2008 had a graduation reception on May 8th. The overall objective of the project is to make Estonian VET system more flexible by creating new alternatives for vocational training through implementing work-based training programmes. The apprenticeship programme provides a company with skilled employees who have been trained exactly according to the practical needs.
The partners of the pilot project were 16 vocational institutions (from different parts of Estonia) and 184 enterprises. 65 curricula have been worked out. 567 apprentices out of 870 who started, finished the training.
Development of VET Curricula Graduation Seminar
ESF 2005-2008 project “The development of VET curricula” had a graduation seminar on May 15-16. 15 state curricula, which are based on professional standards, which in their turn are based on learning outcomes, have been completed, the others are waiting for completion.
E-key Graduation Seminar
ESF project 2005-2008 E-Võti (E-key) had a graduation seminar on May 20-21. 2,310 teachers, IT specialists and education specialists have taken part in the training of how to compile electronic study materials (mainly web-based). As a result of the training, the teachers have created 615 weeks of electronic study courses and over 600 study aids, which are all gathered in one data mart, available for everybody. Thanks to the programme, 11 professional networks have emerged, which have been conducive to promoting the new learning and methodology. E-VET thematic networks work together with E-University networks in Estonia, and cooperate with specialists in the fields and national VET curricula development work groups of National Examination and Qualification Centre.
Entrepreneurship training graduation seminar
The graduation seminar for 2005-2008 ESF project “Entrepreneurship training in VET schools” was held on May 27. Study materials for 3 modules were created and published within the program and a study video was released. In addition, an entrepreneurship environment simulation game “Pizzeria” was launched on the web, it is available for everybody at www.pizzeria.ee.
April 2008
On April 23, negotiations between the social partners over the draft legislation of the new labour law ended successfully
The representatives of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Justice, trade unions and employers reached an agreement concerning the content of the new labour law. According to the Minister of Social Affairs Maret Maripuu the new draft of the labour law will increase the security of the employees and decrease the bureaucracy. The ministry has sent the draft bill to the Parliament. The new draft incorporates the agreements reached during the negotiations.
The draft legislation of the new labour law regulates the relationship between the employers and employees such as making the employment contract, amendments and termination of the employment contract. The underlying principle of the draft is flexicurity for both, the employers and employees. The principle is supported by the changes in the social security system, supporting training opportunities and lifelong learning and expanding of the career counselling system based on individual needs of every person, offered by the Labour Market Board.
The existing labour law dates back to 1992 and needs to be amended because it does not correspond to the needs of the labour market today.
VET promotion programme was ratified by the government on April 29
The five year VET promotion programme was ratified. The objective of the programme is to raise the awareness of the general public about VET and possibilities to study VET.
Since the best promoters are those involved in VET, one part of the programme is targeted to VET staff and the other part to the potential students in VET.
In order to raise the communication skills of VET teachers, an electronic newsletter will be created and communication training will be carried out for at least 2 representatives from each VET school, i.e. 100 participants in total. As a result of the training, a communication handbook will be put together.
The program involves the development of skills competitions network and a brochure promoting VET studies and institutions.
March 2008
New Professions Act introduced to legislative procedure
On March 7, 2008 the draft bill of the new Professions Act was introduced to legislative procedure by the Government of Estonia. The new Professions Act will approve the new format for professional standards for all sectors and ensure the comparability of educational and vocational qualifications. The 5-level qualification framework will be replaced by the 8-level one. The qualifications according to the new format have to be output based, taking into account the learning outcomes and the actual competences of an applicant. The new qualification framework supports the EU initiatives to adequately describe and compare the results of Life long learning.
Contractual agreement signed to develop guidance and counselling services
The agreement was signed between two ministries – the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Research, on March 12, 2008. So far, the provision of career services has been very fragmented. The responsibility is divided between the education and labour sectors. Guidance and counselling for youth (7-26 years) takes place under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education and Research, whereas employment services under the Labour Market Boards, which report to the Ministry of Social Affairs, provide counselling to people entering the labour market and the unemployed. Recently, they have extended some of their services to working adults who contemplate career change. It is a comprehensive measure to unite the policies of youth work and the Labour Board activities regarding guidance and counselling services. The contract was signed to decide the areas of responsibility in providing high quality guidance and counselling services to the whole population and to promote a unified qualification and training system for career practitioners, unified methodology for career services as well as assessing the impact and quality of the provided services. From now on, the development of career services will take place in close cooperation with the two ministries, who have seen the need for the integrated model.
February 2008
Development seminar in Narva
“Estonian VET promotion organization” (incorporating the staff of VET schools and officials connected with VET) met at a development seminar in Narva on February 12-14. The overarching theme of the conference was „VET in 2015”. Thus, the main focus was on developing different scenarios for VET in its context of the Estonian economy in 2015 and beyond. During the three days there were also presentations and discussions on new initiatives and developments in VET (Internal evaluation for schools, professional examinations, ERDF funding for renovations, skills competitions, state funded study places, etc).
January 2008
Lifelong learning
On January 10, 2008 the government approved the „Amendments to Lifelong learning strategy 2005-2008”. The framework for funding adult professional training was agreed upon in these amendments. The government divided the responsibility to fund adult professional training between the three respective Ministries: The Ministry of Economy and Communications is responsible for the adult professional training of employees that is carried out through enterprises, the Ministry of Social affairs is responsible for funding training for the unemployed and other risk groups on the labour market, the Ministry of Education and Research will take responsibility for the training that is carried out through educational institutions. The Ministry of Education and Research considers such agreement a milestone in adult education since it is an expression of common interest by the Ministries to cooperate in providing study opportunities for the Estonian people.
