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JIn January 2023, a new project funded by the European Commission’s Twinning programme was launched in cooperation with Tallinn University’s School of Educational Sciences, the University of Jyväskylä, and Paderborn University. The project, known by the acronym FEWL – Fostering Educational and Workplace Learning Research Integration – will run until the end of 2025.

Read more about the project

Presentations and Project Results

The results of the three-year Horizon Europe–funded Twinning project were presented from various educational perspectives:

• From the primary school perspective by the project leader, Professor Inge Timoštšuk, and Junior Researcher Kaidi Nurmik.
• From the upper secondary perspective by Associate Professor Maria Erss and Professor Krista Loogma of Tallinn University.
• From the vocational education perspective by project partners Jana Schwede from Paderborn University and Katarzyna Kärkkäinen from the University of Jyväskylä.

The presentations emphasised that although workplace learning has traditionally belonged to vocational education, FEWL studies highlight its significant potential in general education as well — enhancing students’ motivation, agency, and transversal skills. Teachers were identified as key mediators who connect workplace experiences with curriculum goals. At the same time, persistent challenges were noted in building partnerships and ensuring equitable access for all students.

Panel Discussion

A panel discussion moderated by Merle Pajus followed the presentations. The panelists included:

• Brian Talty, Policy Officer of the Young European Research Universities Network (YERUN)
• Nathalie Baïdac, Representative of the European Education and Culture Executive Agency and coordinator/co-author of the European Entrepreneurship Education Report
• Peep Peterson, former head of the Estonian Trade Union Confederation, former Minister of Labour and Health, and current industry leader
• Kaidi Nurmik, bringing the perspective of a primary school teacher

Participants from Germany and Finland actively engaged the audience, inviting attendees to note key insights from the day and propose policy recommendations to strengthen the integration of working life and general education.

Key Conclusions

• Early work experience supports students’ motivation, skills, and agency, but in Estonia access to such experience remains unequal (e.g., among girls and Russian-speaking youth).

• Integrating work-life topics into general education is complex and requires systematic support, not just teachers’ goodwill.

• Employers expect strong transversal skills from young people, yet smaller companies often do not invest in developing these skills.

• ooperation between schools and employers—both formal and informal—should be significantly strengthened, especially in vocational and general education.

• As 80% of upper secondary students already work alongside school, it is crucial to provide opportunities for structured reflection on work experience within the school environment.

Meetings in Brussels Prior to the Final Seminar

On the previous day, 18 November, preparations for the FEWL seminar included meetings with representatives of the Estonian Research Council in Brussels (Kristel Oitmaa and Carmen Kivistik), advisers Heidi Paju and Anu Peljo from the Permanent Representation of Estonia to the EU, Massimo Busuoli, Chair of the UniLion Brussels Office of European university networks, and H.E. Helen Kaljuläte, Estonia’s bilateral Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg.

Discussions focused on opportunities for funding research and education cooperation and on the priorities and needs of the education sector within EU research programmes.

Photo © Sander de Wilde