Estonia: the national VET team supports innovation and greening of VET

Recently, the team has developed policy recommendations to promote and support a sustainable approach to VET, including creating a sustainable vision and framework, enhancing communication and recognition for sustainable practices, coordinating sustainable initiatives at various education levels, and fostering cross-sector collaboration. This includes mapping, developing, and integrating green competences and sustainability principles into vocational curricula and enhancing the green competences of VET teachers, school leaders and school teams.

In 2023, a highlight of the team's efforts was the monthly series of virtual Green mornings, featuring experts in the green economy, circular economy, and sustainability. The topics covered ranged from hydrogen technologies to housing policy, sustainable development, and social anthropology. These events were met with widespread popularity and positive feedback from the VET community, leading to the decision to continue the series. A selection of last season's presentations was recorded and will be used as teaching materials. Since autumn, the Green mornings have been hosted by the VET schools, giving them an opportunity to present their school's activities in promoting sustainability.

In addition, the team organised several other events, such as a 2-day seminar on green transition and sustainability in cooperation with the Tallinn Technical University, a webinar on the state-of-play and planned developments of the skills registry and information system by the Qualifications Authority, and a seminar on formulating learning outcomes for education workers. A survey was conducted to evaluate the impact of Erasmus+ international mobility on the development of key competences and general working life skills among VET students. Regular planning meetings and a field meeting in south-east Estonia also took place, providing an opportunity for in-depth discussions on sustainable development, education, and community engagement.

In October 2023, the national VET team conducted a study trip to Finland, which proved to be particularly valuable, considering the VET reform plans in Estonia. Discussions with VET experts from the Finnish education ministry, education board, renown VET centre Omnia and the Finnish Innovation Fund SITRA offered valuable insights into introducing microcredentials, individualising learning paths and diversifying programmes in VET.

About the national VET team

The national VET team was established in 2021 at the Education and Youth Board to support the implementation of the Estonian Education Strategy 2021-35, the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Agency Action Plan, the VET Recommendation, and the European Skills Agenda. VET experts from the Ministry of Education, the Education and Youth Board, the Qualifications Authority, VET centres, and universities comprise the team. The team has established working relations with the Latvian, Lithuanian, Irish and Finnish VET experts.