http://www.innove.ee en http://www.innove.ee/refernet/workspace/workspace/recent-developments-in-2009 Recent developments in 2010 July 2010 Work-related training and development activities for adults in the autumn semester In autumn semester 2010, 6046 people can participate in different courses which are state funded study places for work-related continuing vocational education training and retraining. These courses allow adults to acquire and improve their professional knowledge, skills and competencies as well as to retrain themselves. Free work-related training courses are held at 39 institutions of vocational education and institutions of professional higher education that provide vocational training in all counties. In 30 different curriculum programs are 453 courses. This program started in 2007 when the Ministry of Education and Research carried out a pilot project of adult vocational education and used funding from the ESF and the state budget. This program will continue until 2013. Courses are updated every semester.   June 2010 27 millions kroons allotted for international cooperation in VET in 2010 by Leonardo da Vinci program 11,7 millions kroons are foreseen for 20 practice-projects for VET students. Pupils will have a chance to practice the acquired skills in a foreign context. The additional value of the practice abroad is enhanced language skills and getting the feel of the cultural characteristics of the host country. Five practice projects for people who are already participating in the field of work were financed. These projects are for taking up new valuable skills or technology, linked with current work experience in some enterprise or educational institution situated in a European country. The added value of these projects is the improved language skills and broader worldview. The total cost of the work related projects is 2,2 million kroons. VET specialists are being sent to work placements in 22 European countries. The period is up to six weeks and during this time people are complementing their knowledge, participating in partner school study process or working in an enterprise in a same field which they are teaching in Estonia. Starting from 1st of June, during two years 612 people are participating in mobility projects which are supported by 5,2 million kroons. One transfer and innovation project is being funded this year. 4,5 millions kroons are booked. The final decisions are made at the end of July. Two Estonian VET institutions sent applications for collaboration projects (altogether 38 applications). The nature of these projects is cooperation with different types of organizations from different countries in a theme which is interesting for both partners. All in all, a little over 3 million kroons are booked for collaboration projects.  For submitting successful applications in 2011, more than 390 thousand kroons is meant for preparatory visits in 2010. Preliminary forum about adult education On 10th June, in preparation for Adult Education Forum, which is held in October, a preliminary forum was held. It was organized to collectively think about the meaning of adult education; what the relevant keywords are and how to present them in a simple and clear way, to support and help people in understanding the meaning of lifelong learning and participating in it. New electronic study material for VET students Under the ESF program „Substantive Development of Vocational Education 2008-2013“, the first electronic study material has been put together. The book is called „Trade: fundamental ideas and connections“, written by A. Siimon. This material is meant for teachers who are teaching trade in VET schools and will help students in gaining the entire picture of trade and is also a helpful tool while writing research papers. The book is foremost based on the classical approach to trade in German speaking area, enriched and associated with Estonian practice. In addition to specifying basic concepts, the book centers on opening up main linkages and cause-effect relationships. The current book is trying to bring consistency on how legal terms are used in different spheres. All legal acts about trade are available in Estonia and the terms used are explained in the professional literature, but in the situation were scientific research and studies on trade have been terminated in Tartu University, the gap between how terms are used in the literature and the practices and VET has grown larger. One of the main activities of the ESF program „Substantive Development of Vocational Education 2008-2013“ is composing study- and methodology materials, corresponding to the national curricula. The program is carried out by The National Examinations and Qualifications Centre and supported by the Estonian state and the European Social Fund.   May 2010 ReferNet Estonia information seminar On 14th May, Foundation Innove and ReferNet Estonia held an information seminar. Kersti Raudsepp from the VET Observation Centre gave an overview of CEDEFOP study „Skills supply and demand in Europe: medium-term forecast up to 2020“. Merle Kink from the VET Observation Centre shared the news about the green economy and Olav Aarna from the Estonian Qualifications Authority introduced the study “Skills for green jobs”, initiated by ILO and CEDEFOP, where Estonia was one of the 21 surveyed countries. The Estonian report analyses 8 case studies from various sectors. After that, Signe Reinumägi from the VET Observation Centre gave an overview of National Research Reports across Europe on the topic of social benefits of VET in Europe. Finally, Helle Noorväli, the Rector of Lääne-Viru College presented her doctoral thesis and gave an overview about practice/training development in VET. The main event of the day was a panel discussion “Problems with forecasting VET demand in Estonia”, where the panelists from the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Estonian Qualifications Authority, Estonian Ministry of Education and Research and Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications debated the issue. The panelists arrived at the conclusion that information exchange between different partners should be better, the development of educational programs should be up to date and more flexible. They also pointed out the need for sectoral studies and the crucial importance of more efficient collaboration between VET institutions and entrepreneurs. Conference "Vocational Teacher Training in 21st century" The second VET Teacher Training conference was held on May 20-21 in Tallinn University. Participants discussed learning and teaching in the 21st century, the role of the vocational teacher today and tomorrow, collaboration and opportunities for self-education. In addition to vocational teachers, school directors, vocational education specialists and other interested parties, VET students were also invited to take part. A separate program for them, carried out by Tallinn University undergraduates, included an introduction to college life and opportunities for teacher training and a discussion about the VET teacher in the 21st century through the eyes of the students.   April 2010 Contest "VET is cool!" May 14th will be the deadline for registering for the contest “VET is cool”, contributions can be submitted May 17-31st. In March, Foundation Innove announced the first photo, video and audio file competition for all the students in vocational education. Creative pieces should introduce VET opportunities, specialties, professions or the school providing vocational education and training. The idea behind this contest is to give VET students a possibility to show how they see their school, specialty and VET in general and what they value in VET. Photo category is individual, but up to three member teams are allowed for making video or audio files. For the moment when work is submitted, participators cannot be older than 26. Creative contributions will be assessed in two categories: VET students on the basis of basic education and on the basis of secondary education. All submissions must be original and every participator or team can submit one photo, video or audio file. As a Grand prix there is an opportunity to visit European Youth Skills Competition EuroSkills, which this year is held in Lisbon, Portugal. The contest is organized by the Foundation Innove and supported by ESF and Estonian Ministry of Education and Research. CLIL materials for VET institutions Four books of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) study materials were reprinted and sent to VET institutions all over Estonia. The purpose of this activity was to support Russian language teachers in language and other subjects in providing study materials and also to improve teachers’ teaching skills. Study materials will stay in schools, so everyone can use them. The schools also have a responsibility to keep these materials and use them for the intended purpose. All Russian language VET Institutions need to transfer from Russian to Estonian step by step and there is a need to prepare teachers and school management for that. Besides, teachers have shown interest in these materials, because they are important tools for teachers, directors and other concerned parties. CLIL methods are appropriate for teaching in another language, taking into account students with different language and cultural backgrounds. These materials are necessary tools, especially in the time of the transfer period in schools. In addition to these materials, training sessions are taking place and this method is gaining more and more popularity in Estonia. One of the reprinted books, „Uncovering CLIL: Integrated Content and Language Learning in Bilingual and Multilingual Education“, is highly valued internationally and has earned The Duke of Edinburgh English Speaking Union English Language two awards: „Highly commended 2008” and „Best entry for teachers 2008“. These materials were ordered and sent to VET institutions through an ESF program „Language Studies Development 2007-2010“ carried out by the Integration and Migration Foundation.    March 2010 Innovation and creativity camp “12-hour enterprise” for VET students On 19th March, Junior Achievement Estonia held the first event of new training series, an innovative course for VET students, where during 12 hours all the necessary steps for creating an enterprise were taken and activity plan set up. The first training was meant for Tallinn VET students. Participants were divided into groups and all the teams had the same task – “SNOW - nature`s gift for enterprising“. During the day, students had a possibility to meet with expert mentors, who listened to their ideas and gave feed-back. Activities were coordinated by student-firms alumni. Among all the participants, the jury selected five students who will represent Estonia in “European Innovation and Creativity Camp 2010” 24-hour competition in May 25-26 in Brussels.      „12-hour enterprise“ and „24-hour enterprise“ are Junior Achievement Estonia programmes, which are organised by the members of Junior Achievement alumni organisation SENT. Many innovation and creativity camps have taken place, but this was the first time for VET students. The main reason why VET students should be participating is that they have more knowledge and experience in practical aspects, so giving them more entrepreneurial knowledge can produce a better outcome. Junior Achievement is planning to continue with similar camps for VET students in autumn and next time they want to involve VET students from VET institutions all over Estonia.        February 2010 Estonian VET promotion organization`s annual winter seminar On February 10-12, EKEÜ (Association for Advancement of Vocational Education) held its annual winter seminar in Pärnu. Seminar comprised six modules. 1) Information systems at VET institutions today and tomorrow. Introduction of best practices; 2) Changes in legal acts and their impact on VET; 3) Learner; 4) Teacher and curriculum; 5) Supportive services; 6) Adult learning in vocational education institutions. Every module contained presentations by different speakers and was followed by a discussion led by a moderator.  Association for Advancement of Vocational Education, which unites VET school directors, staff and officials working in VET related governmental and non-governmental organizations, is the main partner of the Ministry of Education and Research in VET policy making in Estonia.   Work-related training and development activities for adults in the spring semester In spring semester 2010, 5899 people can participate in different courses which are state funded study places for work-related continuing vocational education training and retraining. These courses allow adults to acquire and improve their professional knowledge, skills and competencies as well as to retrain themselves. Free work-related training courses are held at 38 institutions of vocational education and institutions of professional higher education that provide vocational training in all counties. In 30 different curriculum programs are 433 courses. Total cost for spring semester courses is 19,9 millions kroons (1.27 million EUR). This program started in 2007 when the Ministry of Education and Research carried out a pilot project of adult vocational education and used funding from the ESF and the state budget. This program will continue until 2013. Courses are updated every semester. New opportunities for VET dropouts During the next four years (2010-2013), 400 students who have discontinued their studies during January 2003-September 2009 in institutions of vocational education and institutions of professional higher education that provide vocational training, can continue their studies. The purpose of this program is to create opportunities for vocational education students whose studies have been disrupted, to finish up their studies. Students must have previously fulfilled 50% of the curriculum. To make it more flexible, RPL principles (Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience) allow the schools also to take into account the previous work experience. The program, which is funded by the European Social Fund and the state, is called “KUTSE” (a pun on words, meaning profession/calling/call), which will provide the needed study places in the respective institutions. The total cost of the program is 30 million kroons (1,92 mEUR). 25,5 million kroons is funded by ESF and 4,5 million kroons by the state.   January 2010 Teachers from vocational education institutions can practice in another language Starting from January 12th 2010 and lasting until October, teachers from vocational education institutions will have the chance to practice and develop their professional and language skills by taking part in the project „Another School, Another Language“. The project will see teachers from vocational schools with Russian as the language of instruction working in vocational schools with Estonian as the language of instruction and vice versa.  Registration took place in 2009. 60 teachers of professional and general subjects who registered will participate. The work placements period is up to 24 days and includes among other things comprehensive cultural program. The placements will be preceded by an 80-hour training course. Special information days will also be held for representatives of the schools sending and hosting the teachers. The project „Another School, Another Language“ is being organised by the Lifelong Learning Unit of the „Our People“ Integration and Migration Foundation as part of the „Language Studies Development 2007-2010“ programme of the European Social Fund.     http://www.innove.ee/19758 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0300