How to Obtain Training Funding from Eesti Töötukassa

The Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund offers a unique "Work and Learn" program. This initiative allows both employees and unemployed individuals to acquire new in-demand professions and learn foreign languages, including Estonian, English, and French, which are necessary for their professional activities.

Yes, if you are currently employed, you can still participate in the "Work and Learn" program and receive training benefits. This will allow you to develop new skills, master an IT profession, or improve your English or other languages if it is necessary for your job.

When a specialist from the Unemployment Insurance Fund confirms your need for training, the state allocates a fixed amount of 2500 euros. When you register for a course, its cost is reserved from these funds. The payment for training is made monthly based on your actual participation in the training.

Yes, you can take courses sequentially within the program, provided that the total cost of each subsequent course does not exceed the remaining balance on your training card. If there is not enough balance to cover the cost of the next course, you can still continue your education, but in this case, you will need to cover the shortfall yourself.

Career consultants help you better understand your skills, interests, and personal qualities, as well as check what programs are available to you. What is the benefit? This allows you to make a more informed choice in education and career and receive approval to participate in the program. The service is free and available at all offices of the Töötukassa .

Important! Consultants pay special attention to your motivation, so it's essential to justify why you need this training. Consider how it will help you keep your current job or get a new one. Make sure you have objective reasons for this decision. Take the time to research the chosen field and understand how it can impact your career.

You can schedule a consultation by phone or through the self-service environment. There is no need to visit the office to register. When booking, pay attention to ensure that the waiting time is not too long. If you want to get a consultation sooner, you can choose a different language or region of Estonia. Additional information can be found on the career consulting services page.

On average, the approval process for the need for training takes from several weeks to a month. Approval of the application for the selected course usually takes 2-3 days.

Within the framework of the "Work and Learn" program, you can take Estonian language courses and prepare for exams at different levels of language proficiency, ranging from A1 to C1.

If your characteristics do not meet the criteria for the "Work and Learn" program, you can still obtain training funding through Töötukassa, but through a different program – the employer subsidy program. You can learn more on the program page.

This program helps employers develop the skills of their employees. How does it work? In cooperation with Eesti Töötukassa, employers can send their employees to courses to enhance their qualifications and adapt to changes in the labor market. The program is also available if an employee cannot continue their work due to health reasons or if the company is undergoing structural changes.

You can schedule a training consultation by phone or by booking a time in the self-service environment at this link.

Together with your consultant at the Unemployment Insurance Fund, you will identify the knowledge gaps that are preventing you from getting employed or advancing in your profession. These gaps will be documented and approved as part of the training programs.

Examples of in-demand training areas:

• Language training
• Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
• Professions that are in demand in the labor market

Once your need for training is approved by the Unemployment Insurance Fund, you will be able to choose a suitable course from accredited educational institutions, one of which is the MYEDU training center.

• Find a course through the electronic system of the Eesti Töötukassa
• Choose training on the educational institution's website

At this stage, you can apply for the course through the self-service environment or through the educational institution.

The Unemployment Insurance Fund sends the educational institution an official letter about covering the training expenses.

We will invite you to the course according to the specified start dates. We will provide you with all the information about the location and format of the classes, as well as the study materials and everything you need to start your training.

You participate in the program according to the schedule and lesson plan. If you miss a lesson, you can watch it in the recorded format, if this course allows for that option. You complete homework assignments and the independent part of the training. You will have access to a private chat with your group and instructor, where you can ask questions and receive the necessary support, as well as organizational information. Your attendance is recorded in the "Attendance Sheet," which the educational institution provides to Töötukassa on a monthly basis. This way, you gain new knowledge, master a profession or a foreign language, and at the end of your training, you receive a Certificate.