The Ministry of Welfare has created a Training Commission responsible for defining the training fields and approving the upskilling and reskilling learning programmes for the unemployed as well as for the people at risk of becoming unemployed. In order to receive training support persons shall be registered in the State Employment Agency of Latvia (hereinafter – SEA).

The learning provision consists of vocational (such as Vocational continuing education including modular learning and Professional development programmes), non-formal (such as ICT courses based on DigiComp levels, language courses, truck/vehicle courses) and basic skills programmes as part of active labour market policies to help people access good jobs, with a particular focus on disadvantaged groups (persons with disabilities, low-skilled, aged 50+, employed persons who are facing barriers on the labour market, etc.). Vocational and non-formal training programmes are implemented by applying a method of training vouchers. Since February 2021, the Training Commission has also determined priority training areas to be co-financed in Massive Open Online Courses (such as Coursera) via online learning platforms.

All of the learning programmes are set in accordance with the labour market demand and labour market development forecasts and at least once a year agreed upon with social partners and representatives of organizations, participating in the design and implementation of active labour market policy. Within the National Human Capital Development Strategy, a Joint Coordinating Commission for Adult Education has been established which is led by the Ministry of Economics. Thus, starting from 2024 the plan is to define the training fields and approve the training programmes horizontally in all of the state-financed adult learning projects, including those organized by the SEA.

Training lists are prepared:

  • based on SEA statistical data: the number of the unemployed and profiles in each occupation, free vacancies, recruitment indicators, etc.
  • based on data from the short-term labour force forecasts prepared yearly by the SEA.
  • taking into account development trends in sectors and medium-term labour market demand forecasts of the Ministry of Economics and the information provided by sectoral experts.

Based on the jobseeker’s interests and abilities, demographic characteristics, self-esteem, and motivation to look for a job and cooperate with the SEA, the profiling system and individual job search plans are instruments that provide the most suitable ALMP measures sequenced in a way that would ensure the most effective labour market outcome. Thus, improving the matching of unemployed and vacant jobs.

Since 2023 the OECD TSI project on Modernizing the Latvian Public Employment Service is ongoing in Latvia. This project (2022-2024) is financed by the DG REFORM’s Technical Support Instrument (TSI).  Within this project the OECD is providing technical support to the Ministry of Welfare and the SEA with the aim to harness digitalisation and boost the capacity to provide effective and efficient support to jobseekers, persons at risk of losing their job, and employers. Particular focus is set on profiling, skills assessment, matching, business intelligence, and analysis of linked administrative data to strive for more evidence-informed policy making in the area of labour market policies. The objective of the project is to increase the capacity of the Latvian authorities to support people in returning to good quality employment using modern digital systems and data management solutions, as well as cooperation practices supported by appropriate data exchange between institutions.

SEA provides job search assistance and career guidance to help the SEA clients develop basic skills and competencies and choose the appropriate training area and programme. Financial support during training is available – a stipend; regional mobility support to cover transportation and renting costs; costs to adapt training to persons with disabilities if necessary.

Additionally, web-based ICT tools (such as self-assessment career guidance tests; short term labour market forecasts; performance measurement system of training institutions, booking system, CV/vacancies portal) support the training system and are available for the general public.

Assessment and evaluation of training measures and outcomes are regularly carried out: follow-up labour market status 6 months after training, surveys (satisfaction, random calls), and regular impact assessment.

For more information on skills and training see also section Labour Market Reports and Statistics.

For more detailed information on training measures visit the website of the State Employment Agency.