Estonian occupational qualifications system forms a part of the Estonian qualifications system that links life-long learning system and the labour market.
The objective of the occupational qualifications system is:
- to support the competitive edge of the Estonian workforce – Estonian workforce is competent, they have the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for successful operation;
- to form prerequisites that the content and quantity of studies targeted at occupational activities meet requirements of the labour market;
- to facilitate that the competence of individuals is appreciated and recognised, regardless where and how the studies took place;
- to make occupational qualifications internationally comparable.
The following principles have been taken into account while developing the occupational qualifications system in Estonia:
- stakeholders of the labour market are involved in all parts of the occupational qualifications system – employers, employees, the state, trainers. Agreements are based on the co-operation of various stakeholders;
- it follows an integrated qualifications system model;
- the main concept of the occupational qualifications system is competence, that means the system is based on competence both conceptually and in reality;
- occupational qualifications system is built and operational as a quality system.
Parts and outcomes of the system are:
- the system of occupational qualification standards – occupational qualification standards
- the system of awarding occupational qualifications – occupational qualification certificates
- the system of the classification and cataloguing of occupational qualifications – the catalogue of occupational qualifications