On the 1st of May, 2014 Dynamic University in collaboration with National Centre for Education, Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation of Latvia began to develop a European Commission co-financed project  “The transition from vocational education to labor market in Latvia” (No.: Nr.550462-LLP-1-2013-1-LV-KA1_KA1ECET, in short VET2WORK). Project with the co–financing of European Commissions Lifelong Learning Progamme was implemented until the 30th of April, 2015.

Goal of the project was to encourage discussion about certain issues of vocational education, find solutions and develop recommendations for politicians and practicians as well as to improve the quality and labor market adequacy of the vocational education.

During the implementation of research a compilation of data was made about other countries’ good practices, trends, growth dynamics etc. They were used to plan and direct 36 interviews with vocational educational institutions, industry representatives, as well as vocational education experts and as a result 12 themes for discussions were identified. Emphasis on dual education examples elsewhere as well as on cooperation mechanisms between industry and academic environment where placed. During the second period lasting from 15^th January 2015 to 2^nd April 2015 there was a cycle of 12 discussions which took place in Riga and other regions of Latvia. Results of interviews as well as possible solutions where discussed to advance the transition from vocational education to the labor market in Latvia including following topics:

1. Attractiveness of vocational education and training;
2. Insurance for vocational education and training students;
3. Employers’ role in vocational qualification exams and awarding of qualifications;
4. How to motivate companies to offer apprenticeships?
5. Work-based learning;
6. Quality of apprenticeships, training of tutors;
7. Structure of the labour market, demand for specialists and the role of small companies;
8. Financial support to a student;
9. Teaching methods and format in vocational education and training;
10. Career advice issues and accountabilities;
11. Development of motivation in vocational education and training;
12. International mobility in vocational education and training.

During the discussions participants emphasized the importance of dialogue and active communication between all parties involved so that vocational educational system, internship system, integration of youth in the appropriate profession in labor market could be developed transparently and without arguments.

Final report “Transition from VET TO WORK in Latvia: Challenges and Opportunities” (available above) reflects a short summary of each issue raised during the discussions, proposals and recommendations, and illustrates a number of good practices which also arouse inspiration for further cooperation and development.

It should be noted that all discussions were filmed and the recorded material for each discussion is available online at the Youtube channel.

We thank the project partners for cooperation as well as vocational education teachers, students, education and employment policy makers, local governments, industry associations and representatives of chambers and all the others who took part in the interviews and discussions and made suggestions for improving the system!

 

This project has been funded by the European Commission.

This publication reflects the views of author only, and the Commission can not be held
responsibe for any use of information it contained.