Yesterday, representatives from 8 entities that make up the WISE project finished their visit to Järvamaa Kutsehariduskeskus, a unique VET school in Estonia specialized in engineering, technology and farming. The members of these European institutions had the opportunity to learn about the Estonian education system, and the weight of VET in it.
One more time, the WISE – Working in Soft Skills for Employment project gathered representatives from 6 countries participating in it, including Finland, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Spain and Estonia, to get a first-hand view of the Estonian VET model and to further exchange good practice initiatives regarding the transfer of soft skills for employment. The activities were held from October 4th to the 5th in Järvamaa Kutsehariduskeskus, located in the county of Järva in Estonia, and all members of the European project got to know the intricacies of the school.
This VET school, unique in the country, is characterized by its dedication to farming and agricultural technology, giving VET students a chance to get formal education in this industry. Thus, this center is equipped with facilities such as horse stables or fish farming tanks, through which participants were given a guided tour. Likewise, Järvamaa also specializes in engineering and technology, and some of its construction or asphalting equipment, including construction crane simulation software, was shown to attendees.
The second day of activities concluded with a presentation on the Estonian education system, which has Vocational Education and Training as a cornerstone. In Estonia, this training is free of charge in public schools, takes 3 to 4 years to complete and develops the knowledge, skills and social readiness required for working. The close collaborations with companies allow VET centers to create new opportunities for their alumni, boosting the employability of graduates.
Finally, it was announced that the WISE project is expected to meet again from the 14th to 16th February 2023, in a peer learning activity to exchange good practices initiatives regarding the development of soft skills in the Finnish education system.
