1 Project CONSCIOUS CHOICE Aet Taremaa

2 OBJECTS The general object of the project is to introduce the learning opportunities to the students of high and vocational schools. The object of Tallinn Health Care College is to introduce the specialities and learning opportunities in Tallinn Health Care College.

3 TARGET GROUP Students of the high and vocational schools. Professional- and career advisors.

4 BACKGROUND Most of the rectors of the higher educational institutions belonging to the Estonian Rectors Council decided to start a series of career-counselling-classes in high schools in order to inform the students about the learning opportunities available in Estonia. The project CONSCIOUS CHOICE was started in spring 2005.

Seven colleges participated in the project then University of Applied Sciences in Tallinn, Estonian Maritime Academy, University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy, Tallinn Health Care College, Tartu Art College, Estonian Aviation Academy, Estonian Entrepreneurship University of Applied Sciences. 5

Through the years other higher educational institutions have joined: Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, Tallinn Pedagogical College, Tartu Health Care College, Lääne-Viru College, Higher Military School of National Defence. 6

7 BACKGROUND The project has been financed by the higher educational institutions taking part in this project. The foundation Archimedes has published different editions introducing the learning opportunities in Estonia.

8 BACKGROUND Every academic year, 45 high and vocational schools have been visited to introduce the learning opportunities in Estonia. In 2010, eleven higher educational institutions participated in the project.

9 ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE PROJECT Making preparations; Realization phase: organization of the visits to the schools, holding the briefing sessions, and providing the sessions with technical support.

10 CONSCIOUS CHOICE IN TALLINN HEALTH CARE COLLEGE The college has been taking part in this project since The briefing sessions in Estonia have been held by the students of Tallinn Health Care College. A short film of the college introducing the specialities taught in the college was made in 2007.

11 The students presenting the college have been informing the students in the high and vocational schools about requirements for admission, learning conditions, curricula, and scholarships. The videos of Tallinn Health Care College used at the messes presenting higher educational institutions were highlighted.

12 RESULTS Approximately students in the high and vocational schools have been informed about high vocational education offered by different high educational institutions. Feedback given by the directors and headteachers have been positive: these breafing sessions are needed.

13 RESULTS Students in high and vocational schools are interested in higher vocational education. Today, we have contacts with numbers of Estonian high and vocational schools. The students of Tallinn Health Care College have more contacts with the students of other higher educational institutions.

14 RESULTS Our students have got performance and communication skills. The higher vocational schools dealing with the project have had a good cooperation. Thanks to the cooperation, the finances spent on the project have been reduced.

15 Thank you for your attention!