The new kood/Järva learning centre is now open!

On November 27th, we opened the newly renovated kood/Järva learning centre in the heart of Paide. The centre brings future skills and new career opportunities to Central Estonia, giving a fresh purpose to one of the region’s most iconic buildings. Completed in 1967, the Keskväljak 15 building has served for decades as a gathering place for local people. It has housed a department store, a restaurant and a cafeteria and now it is home to the next generation of technology creators and problem-solvers.

//kood co-founder Martin Villig emphasised that Estonia’s strength does not lie in natural resources, but in its people and their skills: “We don’t have many natural resources in Estonia, but our biggest asset is our people – how they think, what they’re capable of, and where are they located across the country.”

He added that the power of //kood lies in how students learn: by solving challenges independently and in teams rather than following manuals. This, he said, helps people learn to think for themselves and tackle any kind of real-world situation.

//kood CEO Lauri Haav echoed a similar thought, explaining that Estonia’s success depends on tech education and ambition reaching beyond major cities: “Talent doesn’t ask for a zip code, but the right conditions have to come together. Our aim is to build a place that brings those conditions to life and helps new talent emerge.”

Local partners from Järvamaa also highlighted that the new centre is a shared win for the whole region. SA Järvamaa Chairman and Türi mayor Sulo Särkinen noted with a smile that municipalities might have acted even faster, but stressed how important such initiatives are for bringing bright minds and fresh solutions to the region.

Congratulatory words also came from Lauri Läänemets, as well as representatives of Coop and Tikupoiss, who emphasised that kood/Järva will support local companies with much-needed skills and give residents the chance to access modern tech education or make a career change close to home.

The celebration ended with humorous memories of the building’s earlier days as Paide’s legendary restaurant with live orchestras, strict service etiquette and lively dance evenings. This served a reminder that while times change, the building’s role as a community meeting place endures.

The opening of kood/Järva is much more than the launch of a new space. It is an investment in the future of Järvamaa, a chance to build new career paths, strengthen local businesses and keep talent in the region. Central Estonia now has a place where ideas can grow into projects, projects into companies, and people into creators equipped with the skills of the future.