2026

Free micro‑credential programmes to support adult upskilling

From 2025/26, VET centres and higher education institutions start to offer adults free micro-credential programmes (in Estonia, micro‑qualifications) to support skills development in areas with high labour‑market demand. The state‑funded training focuses on adults who need to update or expand their skills to remain competitive, particularly those without upper secondary or vocational qualifications or whose skills have become outdated. 

Micro‑credential programmes will be provided in fields such as industrial automation and digitalisation, nursing and care work, and green skills. The programmes range from 5 to 24 ECTS and will be delivered in dedicated study groups. Training opportunities are available in eight VET institutions across Estonia and in six higher education institutions. In Ida‑Viru County, six additional micro‑credential programmes tailored to regional needs will be launched with the support of the Just Transition Fund, alongside expanded opportunities to acquire green and digital skills. 

State-commissioned continuing training courses for adults – already a well‑established system – continue in parallel, ensuring broad access to upskilling opportunities across Estonia. 

2025

Amendments to the Adult Education Act on micro-qualifications and continuing training adopted

The amendments to the Adult Education Act have been adopted. The new provisions establish a clear framework for the delivery of micro-qualifications and specify competence requirements for adult educators, strengthening the quality and transparency of continuing training.

Micro-qualifications are designed to make employee upskilling easier and to generate a positive impact on the economic environment. They allow adults to acquire a complete competence through smaller modules, tailoring learning to individual needs. By facilitating movement between different educational pathways and increasing the flexibility of studies, micro-qualifications support lifelong learning and closer links between education and the labour market. They may be provided by higher education institutions and vocational schools with the right to deliver programmes in the relevant field, or, under an activity licence, by institutions outside their existing teaching rights or by other continuing education providers that meet quality standards. Learning achievements will be certified and entered in the Estonian Education Information System (EHIS), with each micro-qualification ranging from 5 to 30 ECTS credits.

The amendments also introduce uniform standards for trainers in adult learning, requiring providers to ensure that educators have both subject expertise and skills in teaching adults, verified for example through trainer preparation or professional certification.

Continuing training providers will have until 1 January 2026 to meet the new competence requirements for educators, while the rules governing micro-qualifications apply in full from 1 September 2025.

State-commissioned work-related training continues under national adult learning programme

In 2025–2026, more than 1,500 free work-related continuing training courses will be offered to over 26,000 participants across Estonia. The courses are delivered by 37 VET institutions, applied higher education institutions and universities, covering fields such as ICT, management, construction, mechanics, electronics, commerce, social work, and green technologies.

Training is offered under three main categories: the VÕTI measure (targeting adults without professional or secondary education or with outdated skills), the Green measure (focused on developing environmentally friendly skills and practices), and the Just Transition Fund measure (supporting adults in Ida-Viru County in adapting to a climate-neutral economy). The total budget for this round of training is approximately 14.77 million Euros, funded by the European Social Fund, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, and the Just Transition Fund. The initiative supports the national goal of raising adult participation in lifelong learning to 52.3% by 2035, as outlined in Estonia’s Education Strategy 2035.

Since 2007, the Ministry of Education and Research has used European Social Fund (ESF) resources to finance adult learning courses free of charge for participants, delivered as state-commissioned training. This framework continues under the ESF 2021–2027 programming period. Between 2016 and 2023, a total of 6,894 training courses were delivered at a cost of 19.3 million Euros, reaching nearly 100,000 participants — nearly 60,000 of them unique individuals.

2024

New Adult Education Act streamlines provision of micro-qualifications and clarifies requirements for continuing training

The Estonian government has approved and forwarded to the Parliament the draft of a new Adult Education Act and related amendments. The legislation establishes the basis for micro-qualification training and clarifies requirements for continuing training to ensure the quality of the training programmes.

Micro-qualifications are designed for adults seeking to acquire comprehensive skills through smaller modules, allowing for flexible and tailored learning paths. The draft defines the concepts of micro-qualifications and micro-degrees, detailing their scope, characteristics, and requirements for providers and certificates issued. The volume of micro-qualification training ranges from 5 to 30 ECTS, and upon completion, participants receive a micro-qualification certificate.

The legislation also specifies requirements for adult educators, ensuring that they possess both subject-specific and adult education competencies. Competence can be demonstrated, for example, by completing trainer´s training and holding a professional qualification certificate. These requirements ensure that trainers are proficient in their fields and capable of effectively teaching and supporting adult learners.

The law is set to take effect on March 1, 2025, with a transition period provided for continuing education institutions to comply with the new requirements. The requirements related to micro-qualifications will be fully implemented by September 1, 2025.