International co-operation

During the last 30 years Kuressaare Ametikool (Kuressaare Regional Training Centre) has participated in ca 80 international projects; sent to work placement ca 1000 students and on study visits or work placement ca 250 teachers and other staff members. The center is an active partner in Erasmus+ KA2 and other co-operation programmes.

European Internationalization Strategy of Kuressaare RTC

Current projects

Educating Professionals on Islands in GastroTourism (EPIG)

More Skilled Hands for Hi-Tech Production (CompoWIN)

Implementing e-learning for the better integration of learners with special educational needs into the labour market through audiovisual media (Multimedia Design) curriculum (E-design)

What can we do together when the vehicle sector is being digital?

Yellow European Stars (YES)

Virtual Work-Based Learning to simulate real experience in VET digital training (vWBL)

Promoting students’ key competences for making evidence-based decisions on controversial socio-scientific issues (EVIDENCE)

The history of international cooperation

International cooperation since 1990’s
EU Phare projects since 1996
EU Leonardo da Vinci program since 1998

Kuressaare Regional Training Centre belongs to the European Association of Hotel and Tourism Schools (AEHT). In 2008 KRTC was the host organization for the annual conference and competitions of AEHT. 700 participants from 32 countries took part in the event.

As a result of the project „Transfer of Animateur Curriculum to Estonian VET system” the school opened a tourism curricula specializing in animateur work.

During the project several test trainings were conducted.

KRTC is a member of international VET schools networks EfVETlink opens on new page and INNOTECSlink opens on new page.

In 2021 KRTC was the Eramus accretitation.

Acknowledgements for international cooperation

School was awarded European Quality in Mobility Award for the Leonardo da Vinci project “Apprentice becomes a master” (BOAT) in 2006
In 2007, the school attended the Quality Award Competition for Estonian VET schools and earned the special award for systematic quality leadership and outstanding international cooperation.
In 2008, Archimedes announced the results of Leonardo da Vinci contest competition, Kuressaare Vocational School received two awards from four.
In 2009, the Archimedes Foundation announced that Kuressaare RTC is ranked first among the Estonian vocational schools in the number of teacher-staff-partners’mobilities and the total grant for mobilities. The majority of projects are funded by the Leonardo da Vinci program.
In 2013, Archimedes acknowledged Kuressaare RTC with a prize of Golden Apple of Cooperation.
In 2016 the school was awarded Erasmus+ VET Mobility Charter which is intended to encourage organisations that have track records of proven quality in organising VET mobility for learners and staff to further develop their European internationalisation strategies.
In 2021 Kuressaare RTC was awarded the Eramus accretitation. Accretitation confirms that the school has set up a plan to implement high quality mobility activities as part of a wider effort to develop the organisation.

The most eventful projects

Routes (2000-2003, Leonardo da Vinci program, development project). Developing mentor-supported learning groups. The training material was compiled according to the needs of micro and small entreprizes in rural areas. 6 modules were compiled for small groups or individual training. The first project was followed by 3 similar ones in different countries, during these the content was also adopted for digital use.

APPRENTICE BECOMES A MASTER (BOAT) (2003-2004, Leonardo da Vinci mobility) A group of teachers and training organisers of the Estonian school, as well as Estonian boat-building enterprises, visited a Dutch College and its partner enterprises. The goal was to see how to improve the interconnection between the learning content of the apprenticeships and the needs of the boat-building enterprises. As a result, the curricula and training plans of the school have been updated, but also the motivation of the enterprises to get involved in training aspects have increased.

Spa therapist curricula in Estonia started as a result of project Wellness (2011-2013, Leonardo da Vinci program Transfer of Innovation project). During the project the national vocational standard of spa therapist was initiated. The curriculum was complied, some training materials were created and the workshop was equipped. In 2014 the first group of spa-therapists in Estonia started to study.