Ukrainian Vocational Education Leaders in Estonia – Focus on Innovation and Leadership

The programme Educational Innovation and Leadership focuses on sharing insights from Estonia’s successful education reforms, vocational education development, modern teaching approaches, and curriculum design. Special emphasis is placed on practical skills, adapting innovative solutions to the Ukrainian context, and strengthening leadership culture based on the principles of the Future School programme.

Representatives of vocational education institutions from the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine are participating in an intensive study visit in Estonia from 26 April to 9 May 2026. The programme is implemented within the ESTDEV-funded project “Supporting the Reform of the Vocational Education System in Zhytomyr” and forms part of a three-year initiative aimed at strengthening the professional capacities of Ukrainian school leaders, teachers, and education officials.

The intensive face-to-face module in Estonia offers participants a highly practical and experience-based learning opportunity, connecting theory with real-life examples from the Estonian education system. The programme is primarily hosted at Tallinn University and includes several study visits to vocational education institutions.

The module begins with participants’ arrival and a welcome dinner in Tallinn’s Old Town, followed by an introductory day focusing on future trends in education, as well as equity, inclusion, and core values in the Estonian system. Subsequent sessions explore leadership and management, including insights from organisational psychology and change leadership.

A key component of the programme is school visits. Participants visit the Estonian Business and Services College (AVARA), where they learn about the structure, challenges, and development of Estonian vocational education, and meet with school leadership. Another visit takes place at Tallinn Technology College, focusing on vocational education planning, funding models, and cooperation with stakeholders. These visits provide first-hand insights into how Estonia’s vocational education system operates in practice.

Real life experience gives best insight

Seminars at Tallinn University address broader themes such as the ecosystem of Estonian vocational education reform, teacher professional development, feedback and formative assessment, as well as student well-being and social-emotional skills. Special attention is given to stakeholder engagement and strategies for implementing sustainable educational change.

During the second half of the module, participants work intensively on their own education innovation projects. They map stakeholders, refine their ideas, and practice presenting them, receiving feedback from lecturers and peers. The module concludes with final project presentations, where each participant outlines a concrete, evidence-based action plan for implementation in Ukraine.
Throughout the programme, emphasis is placed on active learning, discussion, and reflection to ensure that participants can effectively adapt the acquired knowledge and practices to their local context.

The programme combines online learning with a face-to-face intensive module in Tallinn and is led by internationally recognised education expert Peeter Mehisto (UCL Institute of Education). During the Tallinn module, participants explore key topics such as future trends in education, leadership and management, vocational education reform, teacher professional development, and change management. Study visits to Estonian vocational schools provide hands-on insights into real-life practices and solutions.

By the end of the programme, participants will develop an evidence-based education innovation project to implement in Ukraine. They will also analyse Estonia’s long-term education reform experience and design their own professional development pathways.