Ivo Linna Performs at Astangu Vocational Rehabilitation Centre Graduation Ceremony

Estonian music icon Ivo Linna performed at the graduation ceremony of Astangu Vocational Rehabilitation Centre, appearing with the school band. This year, 78 students graduated from Astangu Centre across 11 different study groups. The school provides individualized support to young people with greater support needs who are unable to study in conventional vocational schools.

A formal graduation ceremony was held at Tallinn's Astangu Vocational Rehabilitation Centre, featuring Estonian singer Ivo Linna as a special guest. He performed with the school band, providing graduates and their families with a memorable musical experience.

Astangu Centre is designed for young people with greater support needs who have completed compulsory school but require a more individualized approach and safer learning environment than conventional vocational schools can offer. The student body includes young people with mental health disorders, autism spectrum disorders, behavioral disorders, or intellectual disabilities.

78 graduates from 11 groups

This year, Astangu Centre graduated a total of 78 students from 11 study groups. Among the graduates were assistant cooks, assistant bakers, retail assistants, woodworkers and wood company assistants, junior IT systems specialists, and vocational guidance course participants.

Astangu school director Kert Valdaru emphasized that people matter more than numbers. "The most important thing is the people behind this number. Those who studied, practiced, tried again, asked for help, dared, and sometimes grew tired but kept moving forward," he said.

Everyone at their own pace

According to Valdaru, the graduates' future paths are very different. Some will continue studying, some will move into employment with job offers already in hand, and some will search for suitable positions with the help of Astangu Centre's employment specialists. "Not everyone needs to move at the same pace or follow the same path. What matters is that each person is noticed, supported, and encouraged to find their own way," the director added.

The school's communications manager Ave Aun warmly described the atmosphere at the ceremony: "The graduation ceremony had flowers, hugs, smiles, some nervousness, and plenty of reasons to be proud."

Astangu Centre has been operating for 31 years and has continuously developed personalized approaches and methods adapted to Estonian conditions, which are now being used more widely, for example in schools and at the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund.