Analysis of adult participation in formal vocational education and lifelong learning
How does making vocational education fee-based affect adult learners, and what alternatives are there to vocational education, such as training courses?
The state is planning a reform of vocational education, which will see a large number of young learners enrolling in vocational education. This will leave less state budget funds available for creating tuition-free study places for adult learners. Statistics Estonia analysed, commissioned by the Ministry of Education and Research, how making education fee-based would affect adult learners aged 20 and older and what alternatives there are to vocational education, such as training courses.
The analysis examined the background of adults aged 20 and older who studied in vocational education in 2019–2024 and those who participated in continuing education, using register and survey data.
Analysis (only in estonian)
Interesting fact:
Three risk groups can be identified in connection with the introduction of tuition fees for vocational education.
- Russian-speaking people in Ida-Viru county, whose previous education may be outdated in view of the current labour market.
- People who have experienced unemployment and have not been able to save money to pay for training but may have recently completed studies in another program.
- Older learners who would like to focus on their studies and not work while studying, but too little time has passed since their previous studies.
Commissioned by:
Ministry of Education and Research
Data sources:
Estonian Education Information System, Statistics Estonia’s statistical population register, employment register of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board, Estonian Labour Force Survey data
Author:
Kadri Rootalu, konsultantidena Käthrin Randoja ja Tea Vassiljeva