Vocational Education and Training in Estonia
One of a series of studies on vocational education and training, this review assesses
the vocational education and training (VET) in Estonia and provides policy recommendations.
Estonia does very well in terms of student achievement on PISA, and the results from
the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC) are also excellent. Unemployment levels are low.
But despite recent reforms, VET remains relatively low status compared to general
education, dropout rates are too high for comfort, and apprenticeships, despite recent
efforts, fail to attract many young people. Suggested approaches to improve VET in
Estonia include the expansion of work-based learning within all VET programmes and
measures to increase the number of apprentices. Tackling dropout should be done by
a set of complementary measures, including support in basic skills for those students
lagging behind. Building pathways between VET and general education options can help
improve the status of VET. More and better career guidance, especially before the
key grade 9 transition point, is also needed.
Published on March 28, 2019
In series:OECD Reviews of Vocational Education and Trainingview more titles