ERO National Research Report
Country:
Latvia
Name(s) of author(s):
Vija Hodireva
Baiba Ramina
Date of submission:
1.
21.03.2006.
Links between National VET/HRD research and development initiatives and
VET/HRD policies (in particular recent reforms/innovations).
VET/HRD research is not widely developed in Latvia. It is initiated by national policy making
institutions to motivate the planned policy changes and by universities that have their own more
academically oriented research plans. On the national level studies on vocational education till
2004 took the form of state ordered applied researches.
The main VET research areas is based on key VET policy documents: Concept on Education
Development 2002-2005 and Vocational education development programme 2003-2005 which
both states the main development areas for VET.
Latvia has planned to use the support provided by Structural Funds according to the priorities
and objectives set in the Single Programming Document (for 2004- 2006) approved by the
European Commission (2003).
The Development Plan has been structured according to the state socio-economic development
priorities. Funding for VET will be allocated according to the priority 3 “Development of human
resources and enhancement of employment” aimed to improve the quality and competitiveness
of Latvia’s labour force, lifelong education. The priority contains three measures: Promotion of
Employment, Development Education and Continuing Training, and Combating Social
Exclusion.
Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Welfare and State Employment Agency Ministry
of Economy manage investigations related with ESF funded large projects. Some ESF supported
projects have realized already in 2005.
Human resources potential determination in some branches of industries or some region of
Latvia have done together by researchers and specialists of enterprises.
Detailed and continuing (2-3 years long) investigations is implementing by researcher groups in
higher education establishments of Latvia. A some social thematic projects is realized by
Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of University of Latvia. Problems of education politics,
quality of teacher training and so on analysing researchers in Institute of Pedagogy and
Psychology of University of Latvia and Humanitarian Institute of Riga Technical University.
Some research dealing with labour market and economy take place in Institute of Economy,
Latvia Academy of Science and other Latvia universities.
2.
Links between EU sponsored VET/HRD research and development initiatives
and VET/HRD Policies ( in particular recent reforms/innovations).
Until 2004 VET/HRD research were run by ETF through Latvia National Observatory now
incorporated in Academic Information Centre.
“Country Monograph: Vocational education and training and employment services in Latvia”
(2004) - the research was prepared by ETF with significant contribution by national experts. The
country monograph provides baseline information and analysis aiming to assess the progress made
in implementing the priorities identified in the Joint Assessment Paper on Employment Policy (JAP)
agreed between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the European Commission on
February 6, 2003. Current EU policies based on the Lisbon conclusions, such as the lifelong
learning initiative, and the European Employment Strategy set the framework for the analysis.
Annual reports on reform changes in IVET and CVT, key indicators reports, other specific research
on social partnership, skills survey, quality assurance etc. like in other ES candidate countries went
on by ETF support and AIC contribution.
Now AIC is directly involved in CEDEFOP and ReferNet activities and main part of VET-Bib,
VET-Inst, ERO and other data bases, and some parts of detailed Thematic Overviews work out by
own expert group.
European programmes, like Leonardo da Vinci, Socrates and other have compile only a few
research VET/HRD in Latvia.
In 2004 Latvia received ESF funding for labour market and human resources development research,
the implementation of the projects have started on 2005. Only 13 research themes have been
completed until the end of 2005. Main part of ESF and ERAF projects started in 2005 and is still
ongoing.
3.
Overview of important issues and themes addressed in current VET/HRD
Research and Development projects.
As there is no VET research strategy in country, all topics related to Vocational education development
programme 2003 -2005 are considered as important. In 2004 VET research covered only
following topics: Quality development of VET teachers and Progress in VET development in line
with economical changes in country.
In 2005 situation is significantly changed and here are more completed investigations:
1) the group of research themes deal with HRD in mechanical engineering and metalworking
industries of Latvia (4);
2) the group of research themes deal with HRD in some Latvia regions (2);
3) the group of research themes deal with social vulnerable group problems and
recommendation work out (2).
Main groups of continuing investigation projects (granting by Latvian Council of Science):
 social process and quality of education, education reforms in Europe (3)
 teacher professional competences, teacher training (1)

labour market and economy development (2).
Annex: Selection of ERO Base projects.
1. Development of lifelong learning strategy and implementation
http://www.trainingvillage.gr/etv/projects_networks/ero/prj_view.asp?theID=939
2. Working out of unified methodology to increase quality of vocational education and to
involve and educate social partners
http://www.trainingvillage.gr/etv/projects_networks/ero/prj_view.asp?theID=968
3. EU Structural funds National programme project ‘’Ministry of Welfare studies’’
http://www.trainingvillage.gr/etv/projects_networks/ero/prj_view.asp?theID=969
4.
Major institutions involved in VET/HRD R&D in your country.
1. Academic Information Centre - was involved in main Cedefop ReferNet activities:
documentary and dissemination activities, collection and analysis activities and partly in
research activities, http://www.aic.lv
2. Vocational Education Development Agency, Leonardo da Vinci programme - measures/
types of activities: international pilot projects; international exchange and in-service training
projects; international research and analysis, http://www.piaa.gov.lv
3. Humanitarian Institute of Riga Technical University (Rīgas Tehniskās Universitātes
Humanitārais institūts), http://www.bf.rtu.lv
4. Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, University of Latvia (Latvijas Universitātes
Filozofijas un Socioloģijas institūts, LU FSI) - HRD and role of education in the
development of Latvia society, http://www.lu.lv
5. Institute of Pedagogy and Psychology, University of Latvia (Latvijas Universitātes
Pedagoģijas un psiholoģijas institūts, LU PPI) - HRD, http://www.lu.lv
6. Institute of Economy, Latvia Academy of Science (LZA Ekonomikas institūts) development of a model for national economy, strategy of the national and local government
budgets, development of the national social and demographic policy, conducting of
sociological studies, http://www.lza.lv
7. Association of Mechanical Engineering and Metalworking Industries of Latvia (Nevalstiska
organizācija Latvijas Mašīnbūves un Metālapstrādes Rūpniecības Uzņēmēju asociācija) protection of the entrepreneur interests in the sector in front of the state of Latvia and nongovernmental institutions as well as international organizations; contribution to the
improvement in the educational system and vocational training of the sector’s specialists,
promotion of the sector products and technological facilities including entrepreneurs’
involvement in the international fairs, exhibitions and consulting of the potential business
partners, http://www.masoc.lv
8. Latvian electric engineering and electronics industry association (Nevalstiska organizācija
Latvijas Elektrotehnikas un elektronikas rūpniecības asociācija) - unites companies, research
and educational institutions registered and operating in Latvia, whose activities are related to
Industry of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Information and Communications
Technology; wish to facilitate the development of education and science, the foundation of
new enterprises, the economical and technical development of existent enterprises, to create
favourable environment for innovations, http://www.letera.lv
9. Ltd „Baltkonsults” (SIA „Baltkonsults”) - financial and economic consulting
10. Ltd ‘’ERK” (SIA ‘’ERK”) - financial and economic consulting
11. Ltd ‘’ORAM” (SIA ‘’ORAM”) - financial and economic consulting
12. Ltd ‘’AI sistēmas’’ (SIA ‘’AI sistēmas’’) - financial and economic consulting
13. Institute of Social Alternative (Nodibinājums ‘’Sociālās alternatīvas institūts’’) –
sociological research
14. Ministry of Welfare http://www.lm.gov.lv
15. State Employment Agency (SEA), http://www.nva.lv
16. Ministry of Economy http://www.em.gov.lv
17. Ministry of Education and Science http://www.izm.gov.lv
5.
Funding frameworks and support structures.
The main source of funding of VET research was Ministry of Education and Science. In 2004 the
Ministry financed only one VET research “Assessment of upgrading facilities of VET teachers
professional and pedagogical competences”.
Till 2004 significant support to VET analysis and research was given by European Training
Foundation.
Ministry of Welfare is funding research on labour market training and unemployed training.
Ministry of Economy is organising annual research on development of national economy.
In 2004 Latvia received ESF funding for labour market, HRD, and VET research and the tendering
and implementation of the projects have started on 2005.
Research granting by Latvian Council of Science are financed from state budget.
6.
Professional research associations and networks.
There is no association or network uniting VET/HRD institutions.
7.
Brief review/assessment of the current R&D activities and indication of future issues
that need to be addressed. This section should be completed by a research expert.
7.1
Firstly, comment briefly on the status, effectiveness and impact of current VET/HRD R&D
activities in your country.
(One third of a page)
VET research institutions in Latvia did not exist before 1990, during 90-ties and the same situation
is also today . Research on VET was fragmented and had low impact to VET policy.
Regular research on VET/HRD in Latvia started in 1996 and was initiated by ETF. The main
research activities concentrated on issues that are relevant to priorities set by VET development
programme and EU strategic documents. Since 2003 the number of VET/HRD research activities
decreased due to limited funding, because till 2003 the VET research activities was significantly
supported by ETF.
The total expenditures for research and development in Latvia is 0.47% of GDP in 2000, 0.41% in
2001, 0,42% in 2002 and 0,38% in 2003 and it is very low in comparison with EU average. The
main state funding for fundamental and applied research is devoted to IT, organic synthesis and
biomedicine, science of materials, forestry science and wood technologies, letonica (Latvian
language and culture).
7.2
Secondly, briefly outline and comment on those issues that need to be addressed by R&D in
the future.
(One third of a page)
The main funding for VET related research in the next years is starting to come from ESF. The ESF
projects’ activities are based on priorities stated in Single Programming Document. Single
Programming Document stated that considering the current situation in the labour market, in the
period of 2004-2006 one of priorities should be given to research and analysis of labour market
situation and obstacles for entering labour market. Since 2005 the labour market research is started
and some research is already finalized.
Besides already mentioned activities the coordination of VET related research is issue which need
to be discussed and solved in country.
Also the research activities directed to VET accessibility, quality, effectiveness and life long
learning aspect should be developed.
We have at least five universities providing teacher education as well Humanitarian institute in Riga
technical university, Education research institute, which is part of Faculty of Pedagogy and
psychology in University of Latvia, Institute of Philosophy and Sociology in the University of
Latvia. The VET research capacity in pedagogical universities should be highlighted and
disseminate more efficiency.
8.
VET/HRD contact people.
Full name
E-mail address
Function
Particular expertise
related to VET/HRD
research
Inese Cvetkova
i.cvetkova@latnet.lv
Jolanta Gūža
jolanta.guza@baltkons Project
manager,
ults.lv
„Baltkonsults”
Vija Hodireva
vija@aic.lv
Expert of Academic Information VET
Centre, the Refernet National
coordinator
Aigars Laizāns
letera@latnet.lv
Project manager, Ltd ‘’ORAM” Human
and
development,
Latvian electric engineering and population
electronics industry association
Anita Lanka
anita@bf.rtu.lv
Director of Humanitarian institute VET teachers training and
of Riga Technical University
further training
Laima Levanoviča info@erk.lv
Acting director of Latvian Social
partnership,
electric
engineering
and Information Technologies
electronics industry association
Ltd Human resource development
resource
society,
Human resource
development, society,
Project manager, Ltd ‘’ERK”
population,
Aleksejs Milovskis rms@rms.lv
Teacher, Riga Managers School
Maruta Pranka
sainst@inbox.lv
Project manager, Institute
Social Alternative
Baiba Ramina
baiba@aic.lv
Director
of
Academic Human
resource
Information centre - Latvian development, VET systems,
National Observatory
general and higher education
Solvita Silina
solvita@aic.lv
Expert of Academic Information Certification, Qualifications,
Centre
recognition of professional
qualifications, labour market
research
Ilze Trapenciere
ilze.trapenciere@sociol Expert of Latvian Free Trade Society, population, policy,
ogy.lv
Union
labour market
9.
References to VET/HRD research resources.
Human resource development
of Human
development,
population,
resource
society,
Publications:
Human resources potential determination in mechanical engineering and metalworking industries of
Latvia and strategy creation to involve new specialists using advertising and motivation in the industry. Riga,
2005:



First final report ‘’Analysis of human recourses in mechanical engineering and
metalworking industries of Latvia’’
Second final report ‘’Communication strategy of mechanical engineering and metalworking
industries of Latvia’’
Third final report ‘’Recommendations for decision makers and social partners to improve
economic development strategy and cooperation in mechanical engineering and
metalworking industries of Latvia’’
Web-based resources:
Academic Information Centre http://www.aic.lv
ESF in Latvia
http://www.esfondi.lv
Ministry of Education and Science http://www.izm.gov.lv
Ministry of Economic
Ministry of Welfare
http://www.em.gov.lv
http://www.lm.gov.lv
Latvian Council of Science
University of Latvia
http://www.lzp.lv
http://www.lu.lv
Riga Technical University
http://www.rtu.lv
10.
Abstract.
VET research institutions in Latvia did not exist before 1990, during 90-ties and the same situation
is also today . Research on VET was fragmented and had low impact to VET policy.
Regular research on VET/HRD in Latvia started in 1996 and was initiated by ETF. The main
research activities concentrated on issues that are relevant to priorities set by VET development
programme and EU strategic documents. Since 2003 the number of VET/HRD research activities
decreased due to limited funding, because till 2003 the VET research activities was significantly
supported by ETF.
The development of VET system in Latvia is stated in the Concept on Education Development
2002-2005 and Vocational education development programme 2003-2005. In 2004 VET research
was oriented to VET teachers quality development and progress in VET development in line with
economical changes in country. In 2004 Latvia received ESF funding for labour market research,
the implementation of the projects have started in 2005.
The main funding for VET related research in the next years is starting to come from ESF. The ESF
projects’ activities are based on priorities stated in Single Programming Document. Single
Programming Document stated that considering the current situation in the labour market, in the
period of 2004-2006 one of priorities should be given to research and analysis of labour market
situation and obstacles for entering labour market. Since 2005 the labour market research is started
and some research is already finalized.