Experts seek to ease Estonia’s engineer shortage through stronger maths teaching

Estonia could face a shortfall of more than 800 young engineers over the next decade as 40 percent of engineers retire, according to OSKA research cited by ERR. Experts say there are no quick fixes, but changes to maths teaching could help address the shortage over time.

Interest in studying at Tallinn University of Technology’s School of Engineering has risen by a quarter over the past three years. Dean Fjodor Sergejev said students choose fields ranging from energy and construction to mechanics and industrial engineering, but the number of graduates will not be enough to fill the gap.

“We need replacement workers because many engineers from earlier generations are retiring, but we also need more engineers to ensure the sector develops,” Sergejev said. Even the current large cohort of young people will not meet all the sector’s needs, he added.

Cathy-Liis Põlluveer, president of the Estonian Association of Engineers, said employers can struggle to find experienced engineers. The shortage varies by field, but recruitment often brings few applicants, she said.

OSKA analyst Anneli Leemet said demand is expected to grow most for electrical and energy engineers, as well as mechanical and electronics engineers. The challenge is not only to meet the demand for workers, but also to ensure they have a broad range of skills.

Experts see stronger maths teaching in basic schools as one way to support the next generation of engineers. They say lessons should be more practical and integrated, and should help sustain pupils’ motivation to learn.

Tiina Kraav, a lecturer in mathematics education at the University of Tartu, said teaching methods are being developed continually, although there are no quick solutions. She said making mathematical thinking more visible, encouraging creativity and giving pupils opportunities to explain how they solve problems could help in the long term.

Põlluveer said it could also help to connect science and maths subjects. Priit Laats, a technology, arts and technology teacher at Tartu Raatuse School, said schools are increasingly moving towards topic-based learning. At his school, pupils use 3D modelling from fourth grade to explore concepts including shapes, symmetry and reflection, he said.

OSKA is due to publish a new cross-sector study of workforce and skills needs in engineering in early November. The article says it will identify growing competition in the labour market for hybrid skills.