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The overall project objective is the enhancement of cooperation between the Estonian and Finnish vocational education and training institutions.

 

Specific objectives include:

-         Simplification of comparability and mutual recognition of vocational qualifications examinations taken in both countries and improvement of opportunities for taking professional examinations irrespective of the place of residence;

-         Promotion of free movement of residents and labour force in the Tallinn and Helsinki area.

 

Tallinn and Helsinki form an intertwined area of employment as a result of their geographic, linguistic and cultural closeness to each other. However, cooperation between educational and training institutions has been rather limited. There are significant differences in the Finnish and Estonian vocational education and training as well as examination systems (vocational standards, curricula). The new project will establish a vocational education and training cooperation network between Estonian and Finnish education administrations and VET institutions. This will create a basis for concerted development.

 

The lead partner of the project is the Estonian National Examinations and Qualifications Centre (NEQC). Other Estonian partners include the Ministry of Education and Research (MER) and the Estonian Qualification Authority ‘Kutsekoda’.

 

The Finnish partners include: Opetushallitus (FNBE - Finnish National Board of Education). The FNBE is responsible for the development of the Finnish system of professional examinations in a similar fashion as MER, NEQC and the Qualification Authority in Estonia. Other cooperation partners include OMNIA (The Joint Authority of Education in Espoo Region) and ADULTA OY (an adult education centre).

 

Tasks associated with the project:

Description of the Finnish and Estonian vocational education and training systems: This aims at facilitating the comparison and mutual recognition of qualifications and enhancement of opportunities for taking the examinations. The task includes identification of the administrative and legal framework, as well as the corresponding authorities and institutions performing the same duties in both countries.

Comparison of vocational qualifications examinations in the four pilot vocational qualifications:This entails a detailed comparison of vocational qualifications and competencies required. The selected sectors and vocational qualifications are the following:

- vehicle technology, vehicle mechanic

- business and commerce: shop assistant

- catering, cook

- carpentry, carpenter/joiner training.

Creation of the cooperation network:A cooperation network will be created in the course of the project between the educational authorities, VET institutions and qualification committees/examination boards responsible for vocational education and training and qualifications in the Helsinki and Tallinn area.

In the future, the cooperation network should extend to other regions of Finland and Estonia as well. A follow-up project is planned for the European financial perspective for the 2007-2013 periods.

 

 

The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through INTERREG IIIA Southern Finland and Estonia programme.