At Ida-Virumaa Vocational Education Center's winter intake, there were only 170 candidates for 300 study places. The low interest was due to several reasons. Firstly, the school focuses more on Estonian-language studies. Secondly, due to the vocational education reform, there are now restrictions for adult learners.
The school's marketing manager Virve Linder said that the population of Ida-Virumaa is decreasing. The school hoped for students from outside the county. However, the winter intake experience showed that this did not succeed.
The school wants to help those who do not know enough Estonian. Study manager Kristi Aron said that these students will first learn Estonian. This will help them study better later.
Due to low interest, only seven groups were opened instead of the originally planned 17. More than 2000 students study at Ida-Virumaa Vocational Education Center's three locations.