On 15 and 16 October in Jūrmala, vocational education experts, heads of institutions, teachers, employers and project implementers met at the training and experience exchange seminar “From Experience to Excellence: Quality, Attractiveness and Future Skills in Vocational Education.” Participants discussed the quality of vocational education, labour market needs and ways to strengthen vocational education as an attractive career choice.
The seminar was organised by the State Education Development Agency (VIAA) as part of the 2026 work programme of the Erasmus+ vocational education project experts’ activities (VET LV Team).
On the first day of the seminar, Elīna Kokina, Head of the VIAA Swiss Programme Division, introduced participants to the importance of Swiss support for the development of vocational education in Latvia, with particular emphasis on strengthening cooperation between vocational education institutions and companies. Such cooperation is essential so that the content of vocational education meets labour market needs and learners gain skills that are in demand in the sectors. The presentation complemented the seminar’s discussions on the quality and attractiveness of vocational education and on employers’ involvement in training qualified specialists.
During the seminar, special attention was given to employers’ views on future skills and on promoting the attractiveness of vocational education. As Mārtiņš Andersons, Technical Training Manager at Scania Latvia, one of the leading companies in the sector, emphasised, although the flow of young specialists is currently insufficient and a shortage of qualified auto mechanics and technical specialists is felt both in Riga and in the regions, these professions are highly valued in the labour market.
The latest data were highlighted in discussions and presentations. For example, a HUBEL study (May 2026) indicates that 64% of Latvian entrepreneurs and employers would like to see more vocational education graduates, and 60% recognise technical professions as being in very high demand in the labour market, yet only 34% of respondents consider them prestigious in public perception. This confirms that their practical value is already recognised, and that the image of these professions in society must continue to be raised in a targeted way.
Seminar participants had the opportunity to take part in an experience and inspiration visit to Bulduri Technical School, where they became acquainted in person with the learning environment, the school’s presentation and good practice examples of Erasmus+ project management, discussing partnerships, long-term cooperation with companies and innovations in the education process.
On the second day, there were active discussions on communication with different target audiences, and on the barriers and prejudices that affect efforts to raise the visibility of vocational education and attract learners.
Seminar participants agreed that preparing professionals is a shared responsibility of employers and educational institutions, in which all parties cooperate as equal partners. Vocational education increases everyone’s value in the labour market and is a strategic choice for the development of Latvia’s human capital and economy, as it gives everyone the opportunity to acquire skills that are in demand and to build a solid foundation for a career. In turn, a good young specialist today needs a solid technical foundation, digital literacy and, most importantly, the right attitude: responsibility, curiosity and a willingness to learn.
The event was organised with the support of the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme.