Starting this autumn, young people can study according to new four-year vocational curricula. The aim of the reform is to make vocational education a better choice alongside high school. Young people will receive both strong vocational and general education.
The head of the Ministry of Education, Raino Liblik, said that vocational education should give young people more opportunities. Entering the workforce and going to university should be easier. Studying more general subjects helps with state exams and higher education.
The new curricula include IT, construction technology, logistics, and digital technology. Forestry, agriculture, and veterinary medicine are also being added. However, young people still prefer engineering and IT fields.
Learning is now more flexible. If a student feels that a field is not suitable, they can change it. The needs of the labor market and the preferences of young people may not coincide. White-collar fields are more popular, but the labor market needs more blue-collar professions.
The most interest in vocational education is in Harju and Tartu counties. In southeastern Estonia and Ida-Viru County, the number of students has decreased. There are fewer young people there. It is important to offer opportunities in smaller regions as well.
Every young person should receive an education that suits them. This gives them good opportunities for the labor market or further studies. The reform is related to the extension of compulsory education until the age of 18. This helps reduce dropout rates.