REVIEW OF TALLINN CONSTRUCTION SCHOOL

Tallinn Construction School (TCS) founded in 1947 is the state-budget financed vocational study institution in Tallinn  administered by Estonian Ministry of Education and Research.

Since 2002 the training has been carried out in the Estonian and Russian languages according to the education policy decision to unite the Estonian-language Tallinn Construction School and the Russian-language Tallinn Kopli Construction School. The studies at school  are based on curricula corresponding to national professional standards in three spheres:

1. Construction and civil facilities: building of stone and concrete constructions, construction finishing, construction carpenter, restorer of wood and stone buildings;
2. Energy and electrical engineering: electrician;
3. Materials industry (wood): carpenter, furniture restorer.

TCS has been the member of Estonian Association of Construction Enterpreneurs since 1995, Estonian Furniture Industry Association since 2001 and Estonian Association of Electrical Enterprises since 2004.

TCS is officially acknowledged as the Vocational Examination Centre in all three professional fields by vocational accrediting bodies.

The Department of Adult Training has been successfully functioning in TCS since 1993. In adult training activities the school has been collaborating with Labour Market Board and Estonian Ministry of Education and Research.
TCS collaborates with other vocational training institutions, schools of general  and higher education.

TCS has participated in 16 international projects. In 2005 began collaboration as a partner in five European Social Fund development projects. For improvement the teaching of vocational skills TCS has contractual relationships with enterprises where students have regular practical training.

Key processes of TCS throughout the years:
2000-2003
Development of inclusive school culture or creation of support system for the students with special needs (learning disabilities) from the vocational school to  the working life.

2002-2003
Creation of bilingual learning environment  for students and working environment for personnel. Participation in working out the system of professional accreditation by forming the first  Vocational Examination Centre for construction specialities.

2004
Development of bilingual learning environment – expansion of the training basis and improvement of the working culture at school. Application of quality management principles in school management.

2005
Sustainability assessment of TCS. Composition of the development plan for the years 2005-2008 according to the curriculum of the whole vocational education system. Inspection of priorities.

2006-2007
Implementation of a new training type – workplace based training (apprentice training) – at school. Preparations for obtaining financal resources for modernisation of the training basis. Inspection and improvement of the management system.

2008
Formation of the investment plan for Tallinn Construction School. For implementation of the plan, composition of the project  applying ERDF  financing and presenting it to Estonian Ministry of Education and Research.
Participation in the process of internal evaluation.

2009
Creation of the development plan for Tallinn Construction School for the years 2009-2013.