More than 6,600 persons apply for enumerator’s post

“During the month over 6,600 persons expressed their wish to work as an enumerator and now we are facing several interesting, but also complicated weeks when we must pick out from the applicants the persons who are most suitable for the enumerator’s post,” said Ms Palmi Lindjärv, Human Resources Manager of the 2011 Population and Housing Census. After looking through the CVs and applications, telephone interviews and group conversations will be carried out. Group conversations will last until mid-December and for 6 January at the latest all applicants will receive an answer about the results of the job competition.

The competition for enumerator’s post was the tightest in Pärnu, Võru, Põlva, Valga, Järva and Lääne counties, but also in Hiiu county. The number of applicants was smaller in Tallinn and Harju, Tartu, and Ida-Viru counties. “In the nearest future we will know if we have to prolong the competition in some regions,” said Ms Lindjärv.

For conducting the Population and Housing Census, Statistics Estonia recruits 2,200 enumerators as total. Enumerators’ work begins on 6 February with a thorough training programme. Enumerators start interviewing people all over Estonia on 16 February. The working hours of enumerators are from 9.00–21.00 depending on the agreement between the enumerator and person to be interviewed.

The enumerator should have good communication skills, be computer-literate, have knowledge of the Estonian language and depending on the enumeration area also knowledge of the Russian and English languages, be at least 18 years of age and have at least basic education.

In Estonia, the Population and Housing Census will be carried out from 31 December this year until 31 March next year. During the first month (31.12.2011 – 31.01.2012) the electronic Population Census or e-Census will take place, where the permanent residents of Estonia can fill out questionnaires on the Internet. Those who do not participate in the e-Census will be visited by enumerators in the period from 16 February until 31 March.

In 2011 the Population Census will be conducted for the eleventh time in the territory of Estonia. Previous censuses were carried out in 1881, 1897, 1922, 1934, 1941, 1959, 1970, 1979, 1989 and 2000. In 2010 and 2011 Population and Housing Censuses are held in the majority of countries all over the world.