Estonia expands free adult training to boost skills renewal and labour market participation

The training offer aims at three target groups, each with a distinct funding source. The first includes adults without a professional qualification, those without upper secondary education, or those with outdated skills. The second supports the development of employees’ green skills and the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies in enterprises. The third includes adults living or working in Ida-Viru County and supports the region’s transition to a climate-neutral economy, for example through training in industrial development and professional Estonian language learning.

The initiative is part of the national strategy to help adults adapt to a changing labour market and reduce skill mismatches. Courses are delivered by VET centres, professional higher education institutions, and universities. Training is available across the country and covers a wide range of subjects − from digital skills and management to construction, mechanics, electronics, media, commerce, and social work. The training offer is open to adults of all ages, targeting particularly those who want to enter a new field, update their skills, or return to the labour market.

Estonia is known as a digital society, but digital skills among the population remain uneven. As e-services become more widespread, a lack of digital competence can hinder career development and reduce overall wellbeing. To address this, basic digital skills courses are planned for the second half of 2025, aimed at adults with little or no prior experience using computers or smart devices. Participants will learn key skills such as sending emails, browsing safely, and using digital public services.

The Ministry of Education and Research commissions the training based on national strategic goals, development plans, labour market forecasts, and training statistics. The aim is to provide adults with accessible and flexible learning opportunities that contribute to Estonia’s lifelong learning strategy goal: by 2035, 52.3% of the adult population is expected to participate in lifelong learning.

The investment in this type of training in 2025 is nearly EUR 15 million, funded through the European Social Fund, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, and the Just Transition Fund.