Government has procured courses for 2,050 expats
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has procured training on multiple modules for new residents, including courses and materials on employment and entrepreneurship, family, children and youth, as well as language classes.
The classes are meant for all those, regardless of origin, who have taken up residence in Estonia in the last five years for work, study or family reasons. "We are not talking about 2,050 refugees here, although those granted international protection can also benefit from one of the eight modules of the program," the head of NGO Estonian Refugee Council, Eero Janson, told ERR.
Estonia has two separate programs, he explained, one for 2,050 expats and the other for 65 refugees. The numbers do not include those who might soon arrive through European Commission's relocation and resettlement schemes.
Every year around 7,000 people move to Estonia. In 2014 the numbers were 3,000 from the EU and 3,500 from third countries. Estonia gave international protection to 20 people.
The voluntary adjustment courses will begin in autumn and be the first of their kind ever provided by the Republic of Estonia.
The procurement was won by Expat Relocation Estonia, which offers various services to people moving to Estonia, from counselling to practical help.
Editor: M. Oll