Ilze Buligina

Strategic Partnerships for the Development of Competitive Labor Force Through Vocational Education and Training

Establishing closer links between education, training and the world of work is a high level EU policy priority and increasing in the focus of academic research. Constant skills’ upgrading of the workforce to promote employability requires innovative approaches at national, regional and local level and demands new forms of strategic partnerships. This sets new tasks also for public administrations involved in vocational education and training (VET) provision. In Latvia VET reform is ongoing, with gradual changes in VET governance through increased involvement of social partners. It is important to evaluate the existing institutional mechanisms for co-operation among the social partners and, if necessary, improve them or develop new ones. A research was carried out in Latvia in 2014 among the top and medium level public administrators regarding the approaches to the development of competitive labor force by the VET system. A parallel analogous research was carried out among the employers. The aim of the research was to learn the opinions of the respective target groups, make a comparison between their opinions regarding research relevant issues and to identify the key challenges for public administrations in VET for improved decision making in the training of competitive labor force.

Role of Social Partners for Work-Based Learning: Results of Surveys

Abstract Introduction of work-based learning (WBL) in Latvia has required new approaches in decision making of different stakeholders. Experience from countries with long-standing WBL tradition has shown the numerous advantages but also the challenges this approach presents. One of these challenges is the need for new forms and mechanisms of cooperation among the key stakeholders – policy makers, public administrators, employers, educators and social partners. The current paper analyses the results of scientific research in this field, as well as uses the empirical results of two surveys performed by the authors: a survey of public sector experts and a survey of employers in Latvia. In order to obtain detailed results, the evaluations of respondents on multiple aspects analysed in the surveys were evaluation in the scale 1–10. The data of both surveys have been analysed by descriptive analysis, cross-tabulations and multivariate analysis – factor analysis. The results have indicated that the views of employers and social partners on the most of the key aspects of introduction and implementation of WBL are similar. However, a more profound analysis has to be performed in order to develop proposals or the most efficient approach to WBL.

Employers’ Needs and Expectations for Qualified Employees (Case Study on the Opinions in One of the Regions in Latvia)

Abstract Qualified, loyal and motivated employees are highly demanded by employers and business promoters. The paper deals with employers’ needs and expectations for qualified and loyal employees, and investigates cooperation of employers, educators and municipalities. The following methods were used: analysis of scientific publications; focus group discussions; surveys of employers, teaching staff, students and graduates of VEI. For survey data analysis descriptive statistical analysis, non-parametric statistical test of Kruskal-Wallis and factor analysis were applied. The main findings indicate that besides professional skills and competence, social competence, motivation to work and responsibility are requested as well.

Matching Vocational Training and Labour Market Demands – The Opinion Of Public Administrations

Matching vocational education and training (VET) competencies with actual labour market demands is an increasing challenge for European VET systems. This requires innovation in national VET systems and sets new tasks for public administrations that are responsible for the implementation of the VET systems. The aim of the research is to study the opinion of relevant stakeholders regarding innovation in VET provision. Textual analysis and expert survey among various stakeholders have been carried out. Conclusion has been drawn that experts and social partners express increasing awareness regarding the need of VET innovation. This requires continued research, especially on the interests and motivaiton of the involved parties.