A career pivot worth making. An international role. Stronger Estonian exports.
You have years of work experience, knowledge and skills. Now there is a chance to give them new international value.
Why this programme matters
Estonian companies need exports to grow, but people with export sales experience are scarce. Your long work experience, your English and your international background are exactly what opening a new market requires.
In this role age is an advantage, not an obstacle: export sales rely on trust, communication and the ability to carry difficult negotiations. By the end of the programme you are trained, mentored and connected to a specific company that needs you.
What you get from the programme
- Modern export, sales, digital and AI skills
- A personal mentor — an international sales practitioner — throughout the journey
- Meetings and contacts with Estonian exporting companies
- Hands-on experience with a real company's export tasks
- A route into an international role or into work as an export consultant
- A Visionest Institute continuing education certificate
Who is Grow Global for? Experienced people
The programme is for people who want to:
- make a deliberate career pivot
- return to the labour market
- use their existing work experience in a new international role
- start or continue a career in export and international sales
- develop modern sales, export, digital and AI-based skills
- find new employment or entrepreneurial opportunities
Eligibility
Mandatory conditions:
- aged 55 or over and living in Estonia
- currently not in paid employment (the funder's target group)
- higher education
- English at C1 level
- at least two years of international work, study or living experience
- readiness to take part in a five-month programme and work hands-on with Estonian companies
How it works
- 11. ApplySubmit your application to the Grow Global programme.
- 22. InterviewSuitable candidates are invited to an interview about experience, language skills and motivation.
- 33. Matchmaking with companiesYou meet Estonian exporting companies looking for an export sales professional. Both sides assess the fit and agree on how to work together.
- 44. The five-month development programmeNovember 2026 – March 2027: five practical modules, e-learning, workshops and feedback from international practitioners.
- 55. Apply what you learn to real tasksYou analyse the company's export potential, find markets and customers, and build an export action plan for the company.
- 66. Mentor and the next stepA personal mentor supports you throughout the programme and during the first months in your new role — whether that is a job in a company or your own export consultancy.
Ready to take the step?
Applying takes about ten minutes. We will get back to every applicant and invite suitable candidates to an interview.
Participation is free of charge. The application deadline is 21 September 2026.
Timeline
- August – September 2026 · registration and an online info session on 4 September
- September – October 2026 · interviews, online job fair and matchmaking with companies
- 29 October 2026 · Grow Global opening day in Tallinn
- November 2026 – March 2027 · development programme, company-based assignments and mentoring
- 8 April 2027 · closing seminar, action plan presentations and certificates
- April 2027 · follow-up mentoring and planning the next steps
What you will learn
The programme consists of five practical modules and combines e-learning, workshops, company-based assignments, feedback and mentoring: the international sales process, target market selection and analysis, client meetings and offers, contracts, negotiations and logistics, and digital and AI tools in sales.
Trainers
Modules are led by international export, sales and communication practitioners.
Where can Grow Global lead?
Export sales specialist
Export sales or export development manager
Independent export consultant
Your own export consultancy
What the programme delivers
- At least 46 people complete the training programme
- At least 40% of participants are employed during the programme or within six months of finishing it
- Around 60 Estonian exporting companies take part in matchmaking
- Every participant has a personal mentor throughout the journey and in the first months of the new role
Completing the programme
Participants complete the programme by meeting the completion requirements: attending the training, delivering the practical assignments and presenting and defending a final project.
Participants who meet the requirements receive a Visionest Institute continuing education certificate.
Who runs the programme?
Grow Global is run by Visionest Institute together with Estonian companies, international export and sales experts, mentors, business organisations, professional associations and other partners.
The strength of the programme lies in that cooperation: companies bring a real need → experts bring the knowledge → the mentor helps put it into practice → the participant creates value for the company.
Representing a company?
Grow Global gives Estonian exporting companies a way to find and train the export sales specialist they need.
Frequently asked questions
What does participation cost?+
Nothing. Participation is completely free of charge for candidates — the training, mentoring and matchmaking with companies are covered by the programme, funded by the European Social Fund+.
What is the application deadline?+
Applications are open until 21 September 2026. We recommend applying earlier, as interviews and matchmaking with companies start already in September.
What language does the programme run in?+
The programme runs in English: sessions, materials and mentoring are all in English. That is why C1-level English is a condition for applying.
How much time does it take?+
The development programme runs from November 2026 to March 2027. Each month is one module made up of a preparation week, an opening day and three study weeks, combining e-learning, workshops and company-based assignments. Six mentor meetings run alongside.
Does the programme guarantee a job?+
No. Participation does not guarantee a job — the hiring decision is made by the company and the candidate together. The programme brings you to the table with companies that are actively looking for an export sales professional.
Do I need previous export experience?+
No. Long work, management, sales or entrepreneurial experience helps, but export experience itself is not required — that is exactly what the programme teaches.
Can I take part from outside Tallinn?+
Yes. The programme combines online learning with in-person events; the opening day (29 October 2026) and the closing seminar (8 April 2027) take place in Tallinn.
What happens after I apply?+
We review your application, invite suitable candidates to an interview and then to matchmaking with companies in September–October 2026, where all companies meet all candidates. Both sides assess the fit and agree how to work together.
Questions? Talk to us
Programme manager Krista Kulderknup is happy to answer any question: krista.kulderknup@visionest.institute, +372 50 76 551. For general enquiries write to info@visionest.institute and we will answer on working days. The fastest way to get answers is a free online info session for candidates on 4 September 2026, 14.00–15.00.
Apply to the programme
Turn experience into a new opportunity. Apply and take a step towards a career in international export sales.
Participation is free of charge. The application deadline is 21 September 2026.
Co-funded by the European Union