Latvia: renewed collaboration on VET with Germany
In August 2023, the Latvian and German education ministries signed a declaration of cooperation in the fields of vocational education and training (VET) and lifelong learning. The declaration acknowledged the importance of sharing knowledge about VET policies, systems, measures, models, methods, and best practices. It is the third declaration of this kind since 2013. Full…
Latvia: international vocational education forum hosted by VET school in Ogre
On 26 and 27 September 2023, as part of the European Year of Skills, the Ogre Technical School in Latvia hosted the international vocational education forum ‘Planet of skills: renewed perspective on networking potential’. More than 700 experts and practitioners from 72 countries and international organisations participated in the forum sharing their experiences and vision…
Latvia: digital and partial-completion VET certificates
In 2023, the regulation on VET and professional qualification documents updated the types of certificate issued by VET. The certificates are also becoming digital. Full article available here.
Latvia: upskilling pathways introduced in legislation
On 1 May 2023, the government regulations allowing recognition of competences for VET admission entered into force. They introduced principles of the Council Recommendation Upskilling pathways: new opportunities for adults in the national legislation. Full article available here.
Latvia: sectoral qualifications supporting VET curricula reform
The project on improving the sectoral qualification system for better VET quality, supported by the European Structural Funds, was completed in 2022. It has helped reforming the VET curricula based on the changing labour market needs in collaboration with social partners and other stakeholders. More information available here.
Latvia: integrating the Ukrainian refugees into VET and labour market
Currently, there are more than 24 thousand Ukrainian refugees in Latvia, including 700 at school age. They receive free housing, regional transportation, health care and education services. Ukrainians have the right to receive education and to work in Latvia. Children may enter pre-school education …
Latvia: combatting early leaving from education and training bears fruit
Since March 2017, the State Education Quality Service has been implementing the project ‘Support for the Reduction of Early School Leaving’ (ESF 8.3.4.0/16/I/001) involving more than 95% of municipalities and 584 general and vocational education and training (VET) providers. The project promotes the development of a system of sustainable cooperation between municipalities, education institutions, teachers,…
Latvia: centralised approach to graduate tracking
A national centralised graduate tracking, based on administrative data, was implemented in higher education in 2019. In VET, the implementation is in progress. The education ministry has already acquired initial data (2018 and 2019) on VET graduates from the national statistics office. However, publishing the data (analysis by the ministry) requires changes in the legislation…
Latvia: vocational education excellence centres support other VET schools
The Ministry of Education and Science pays great attention to the relevance of the vocational education programmes to labour market needs. This requires day-to-day cooperation between schools and industries, and a clear methodology that allows the strongest VET providers in each sector to take a leading role. According to the ministry, this approach will also…
Latvia: new momentum for green approaches in VET
National vocational education and training (VET) policy is currently focusing on green challenges. The draft education strategy 2021-27 makes green thinking and digital competences a priority. Full Cedefop article is available here.