- 2021Design
- 2022Implementation
- 2023Implementation
- 2024Implementation
Background
In order to improve European cooperation in VET, the Council Recommendation of 24 November 2020 on vocational education and training encourages the creation of opportunities for learning mobility of vocational learners and staff, and sets an EU-level objective for 8% of learners in VET to benefit from learning mobility abroad.
Estonian VET learners and teachers have been benefiting from mobility grants provided by the Erasmus+ programme since 2014. To monitor and further expand the use of mobility opportunities, it is necessary to develop methodology to collect the mobility data.
Implementation of Europass framework, increased participation in Erasmus+ and other development projects, cooperation projects and mobility schemes, and international skills competitions and contests are the main tools to support internationalisation.
Learning mobility abroad supports the internationalisation of VET, dissemination of best national practices and, from the learner's perspective, enables the enriching of studies with new knowledge and skills that are applicable in the transnational labour market.
Objectives
To improve the quality of VET and diversify its learning opportunities through internalisation and learning mobility.
To monitor and further expand the use of mobility opportunities.
Description
The following measures are foreseen:
- promoting learning mobility in VET: supporting the internationalisation of VET, including support for the implementation of Europass, improving data collection and analytics, monitoring and analysis of learning mobility;
- participating in Erasmus+ and other development and cooperation projects, and mobility schemes to mobilise best international experience;
- participating in EU-level debate and development activities on the creation of key profiles for VET in Europe;
- participating in international skills competitions and contests.
In order to monitor and further expand mobility opportunities, it was first considered necessary to develop a methodology to collect the mobility data.
In 2021, a national mobility indicator was developed: share of VET graduates who have participated in learning mobility for at least 2 weeks during their studies (%). Data collection and analytics on Erasmus+ and other mobility schemes were improved. Guidelines for data collection and submission via the e-learning management system Tahvel were provided to VET schools. Since January 2022, VET schools have started submitting mobility data to the national education information system according to the new methodology.
In 2022, mobility data started to be collected. The development of data collection systems and methodology continued, and first results were expected the following year.
In 2022, the Europass environment was updated, including recognition of non-formal and informal learning, digital certificates. It followed the renewal of the professional qualification system with transition to a skill-based approach and introduction of core profiles. The following Europass tools were also created: interactive guidance materials, information events and a network of disseminators (Europassi targad).
The national mobility indicator in VET is the percentage of VET graduates who have participated in learning mobility for at least two weeks during their studies. In 2023, the first results indicated that 7% of VET graduates participated in short-term mobility.
Based on the baseline determined in 2023 (7% of VET graduates participated in short-term mobility), target levels for the indicator are to be set by the end of 2024. To recognise the participation in the international skills competition Worldskills, a proposal was discussed to include participation in Worldskills in the mobility indicator.
Bodies responsible
- Ministry of Education and Research
- Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Agency
Target groups
Learners
- Learners in upper secondary, including apprentices
- Young people (15-29 years old)
- Adult learners
Entities providing VET
- VET providers (all kinds)
Thematic categories
European and international dimensions of VET
This thematic category covers both European and international cooperation in initial and continuing VET, aimed at promoting EU VET systems as a European education and training area and making it a reference for learners in neighbouring countries and across the globe.
Expanding opportunities and increasing participation of VET learners, young and adult, and staff in international mobility for learning and work, including apprenticeship and virtual and blended mobility, account for most initiatives in this thematic category.
Apart from established and financially supported EU cooperation, VET opens up to cooperation and promotion of European values and national practices beyond the EU, which is becoming a trend. This thematic category also encompasses internationalisation strategies, transnational cooperation projects and initiatives – including those where joint VET programmes, examinations and qualifications are developed – and participation in international skills competitions that promote the image of VET. Using international qualifications – awarded by legally established international bodies or by a national body acting on behalf of an international body – in the national VET systems and recognising them towards national qualifications is also in focus.
This thematic sub-category refers to developing internationalisation strategies supporting a strategic approach to international cooperation in VET and lifelong learning, including going beyond the EU.
This thematic sub-category refers to providing opportunities for, implementing and increasing rates of, learning mobility of VET and adult learners and staff, including virtual mobility, apprenticeship placements, long-duration mobility and mobility to third countries, in line with national regulations, collective agreements and health and safety provisions. It also includes the provision of information about mobility, support structures and tools, strengthening the quality of mobility experiences and recognition of learning outcomes acquired abroad, including with the use of relevant EU tools, e.g. memoranda of understanding or learning agreements (ECVET elements).
European priorities in VET
VET Recommendation
- VET as an attractive choice based on modern and digitalised provision of training and skills
Osnabrück Declaration
- European Education and Training Area and international VET
Subsystem
Further reading
Country
Type of development
Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Supporting internationalisation in VET: Estonia. In Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Timeline of VET policies in Europe (2024 update) [Online tool].
https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/da/tools/timeline-vet-policies-europe/search/41185