On Tuesday, the government supported the proposal of the Ministry of Education and Science (IZM) to allocate 34,623,466 euros to support the improvement of the professional competence of employees in accordance with the requirements of the labor market until December 2029.
The Ministry of Education and Culture is worried about the low involvement of Latvian citizens in adult education – in 2022, they were 9.6% of the population aged 25 to 64, while the set goal in 2027 is 12%. It is expected that in the future the problem of labor shortage will worsen in the labor market, therefore it is necessary to strengthen the adult education system, as well as to provide opportunities to improve one’s skills in accordance with the changing working conditions, explains the Ministry of Education and Culture.
Support is intended to be provided to persons who are already on the labor market, priority to employed persons with a low level of education, no higher than general secondary education, as well as to employed persons aged 50 and over, refugees and persons with alternative status. According to the estimates of the Ministry of the Interior, they could be 28,000 employed, of whom 5,600 – until the end of this year.
The funding will be received by the State Education Development Agency (VIAA). It will provide support for career counseling services in cooperation with educational institutions, municipalities and the State Employment Agency. Municipalities will have to inform about the opportunities to participate in the project, including promoting the understanding of adults about learning. After the study offer has been approved, it will be available on the website “macibaspieaugusajiem.lv”.
Educational institutions will assess the existing knowledge, competences and skills of the participants and advise on the most suitable learning options. They will have to provide professional continuing education programs, including modular ones, in order to obtain a professional qualification or a part of it in accordance with the requirements of the labor market. Likewise, educational institutions will have to provide support for learning a study module or study course at a university or college.
It is planned to provide support for the acquisition of the necessary knowledge and skills for adults also in non-formal education programs in order to learn priority science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as green and digital transition skills. VIAA will ensure the acquisition of these skills as part of the procurement procedure.
In addition, support will be provided to provide the services of an assistant, occupational therapist or sign language interpreter, supervision of children aged up to seven years, as well as compensation for transport and living expenses. Project participants will also be awarded targeted scholarships of up to 100 euros per month, if they attend classes in person or remotely.
Tags: Ministry Education Culture concerned level involvement Latvian citizens adult education
