Starting today the Police and Border Guard Board begins informing foreigners who have recently moved to Estonia about an opportunity to participate in the adaptation program trainings that support settling in Estonia and begin in autumn 2015.
According to Janek Mägi, the head of the Citizenship and Migration Policy Department of the Ministry of the Interior, the adaptation program consists of training modules covering different topics and the beginner-level language training. “For instance, the basic module covers the topics essential for all immigrants settling in Estonia: the functioning of the Estonian state and society, civil rights and obligations, topics related to residence permits and right of residence, as well as specifics of Estonian culture. Other modules also cover employment and entrepreneurship, studying and research as well as family-related topics,” says Mägi.
Janek Mägi adds that the adaptation program trainings are short and flexible and consist of interactive exercises and self-study. “We commenced planning the program already in 2012. Since the program was prepared in cooperation with employers, universities and other organizations that daily deal with immigrants, various parties have high expectations with regard to the program. We have found partners with prior experience of work with new immigrants and the competence necessary to ensure the success of the program,” says Mägi.
The adaptation program training is aimed at all foreigners legally residing in Estonia for less than five years, including citizens of the European Union.
Mart Ambur, a member of the management board of Kühne + Nagel AS, thinks that the adaptation program for new immigrants is a great initiative. “Our company has hired several dozen employees from abroad and until now we had to invent the adaptation program for them ourselves. This, however, means dealing with the smallest things and requires plenty of time. The new program will certainly help saving company resources and will facilitate faster adaptation of immigrants. I also hope that the adaptation program will help keeping talented people in Estonia,” says Ambur.
The training is directed and the respective information to the foreigners is provided by the Police and Border Guard Board.
More information: www.settleinestonia.com