The objective of the occupational qualifications system is:

• to support the competitive edge of the Estonian workforce – Estonian workforce is competent, they have the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for successful operation;
• to form prerequisites that the content and quantity of studies targeted at occupational activities meet requirements of the labour market;
• to facilitate that the competence of individuals is appreciated and recognised, regardless where and how the studies took place;
• to make occupational qualifications internationally comparable.

The following principles have been taken into account while developing the occupational qualifications system in Estonia:

• stakeholders of the labour market are involved in all parts of the occupational qualifications system – employers, employees, the state, trainers. Agreements are based on the co-operation of various stakeholders;
• it follows an integrated qualifications system model;
• the main concept of the occupational qualifications system is competence, that means the system is based on competence both conceptually and in reality;
• occupational qualifications system is built and operational as a quality system.

Parts and outcomes of the system are:

1. the system of occupational qualification standards – occupational qualification standards
2. the system of awarding occupational qualifications – occupational qualification certificates
3. the system of the classification and cataloguing of occupational qualifications – the catalogue of occupational qualifications