Innovative Vocational Education and Training

Developments in Latvia

CEAP Webinar on Innovations in Teaching and Learning in Vocational Education and Training, 25 January, 2019

Presentation plan

1. Work – based learning (WBL) – an innovative approach in the

Latvian VET system and ‘tandem training’ approach with EU

support.

2. Retrospective overview (2013 – 2016) – step by step towards WBL

legal framework.

3. Promoting the Baltic (LV, LT, EE) and transnational co-operation in

VET and WBL.

4. Brief insight into VET developments in Latvia.

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Work –based learning - a new challenge for

countries with school based VET system

Work-based learning (WBL) – a high level VET policypriority in Latvia and in Europe

Key idea – bringing closer the worlds of education and workfor better future labour force training in compliance with thelabour market needs

A new challenge for countries with traditionally school-based VETsystems

Initially - numerous controversial issues

Decision by the Ministry of Education and Science – to follow a‘bottom up’ approach – via a pilot project 2013 – 2016 implemented onvoluntary basis by 6 VET institutions in cooperation with employers –long term co-operation partners in training praxis for VET students

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EU Erasmus+ project

TTT4WBL

The Ministry of Education and Science is implementing an EU Erasmus+ policyexperimentation project "Testing New Approaches to Training VET and Workplace Tutors for Work Based Learning -TTT4WBL"*

Jointly with public administrations and employers’ representatives from other Baltic countries – Lithuania and Estonia

The TTT4WBL project supports ET2020 policy objectives reinforced in Riga Conclusions (2015):

promote work-based learning in all its forms”

introduce systemic approaches and opportunities for professional development of VET teachers, trainers and mentors in school and work-based settings

* Erasmus+ project “Testing New Approaches to Training VET and Workplace Tutors for Work Based Learning”

(TTT4WBL), Project No. 582951-EPP-1-2016-2-LV-EPPKA3-PI-POLICY

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The tandem training approach -

core idea

The core idea of the tandem training approach – to train the WBL trainers (from VET

institutions) and WBL mentors together (in one group)

Sharing of knowledge and co-creation of knowledge takes place during the joint

training process

Shared responsibility for the quality of the training of the WBL learner (student)

A common competence profile of WBL trainers in the Baltics will promote a

common Baltic vision while respecting the needs of each particular country in

developing the training programs for WBL trainers

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The parties involved in tandem training

The three overlapping triangles represent the close work together among the trainer from school,

the learner and the company mentor –jointly going through the three stages in the WBL process

3 partners:

• Trainer from VET institution

• Learner/ trainee

• Mentor from company

3 stages:

• Before

• During• After

VET

institution

TraineeCompany

Stages in WBL

III

III

… back to roots – how the Baltic VET

co-operation started

In 2014 – first joint Baltic Erasmus+ programme project „National Authorities for

Apprenticeships: Implementing Work Based Learning in Latvia, Lithuania and

Estonia” (WBL-Balt)

Partners - Ministry of Education and Science, Latvia; Employers’ Confederation of

Latvia; Estonian and Lithuanian co-operation partners - ministries.

Implementation: from 1 December 2014 to 28 February 2017:

A study on the existing experience - WBL pilot project in Latvia

Stakeholders discussions on organization and implementation of WBL

Media campaign (November-January 2016) for promotion of WBL and good

practice examples – also as part of the EU VET week

Baltic seminar and International final conference (25 January, 2017)

Baltic Alliance for Apprenticeships (BAfA) established as an

output of the WBL Balt project

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Baltic co-operation in WBL via EU supported

measures. Synergy and complementarity

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Signing the Declaration of Intent on the Baltic

Allaince for Apprenticeships 22 June 2015

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The Baltic Alliance for

Apprenticeships (BAfA)

Established in 2015 – to promote the Baltic co-operation in VET and WBL

Further agreements in 2017:

Continued cooperation at different levels with more emphasis on VET

institutions’ associations and business sector associations involvement

Specific directions of joint work:

Developments towards joint Programs & Qualifications

Enhanced cooperation among Baltic employers on WBL implementation

Promoting Baltic region as the best place for studies and work

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LUKA__________________________________

Reputation management

Excellent since 1994

Work-Based Learning

Legal Framework

Terminology: Work-Based Learning (WBL)vs

dual education, apprenticeship or apprenticeship type schemes

Amendments to the Vocational Education Law – since April 2015 WBL is one of thevocational education (VET) implementation forms (WBL, Sectoral ExpertCouncils, Conventions)

Regulation on WBL organisation and implementation (July, 2016):

Theory and practical training in VET schools and companies

Individual learning plan for students

Learning agreement with the VET school

Employment contract or Scholarship agreement

Sectoral Expert Councils’ responsibilities – promotion of WBL,information dissemination, advise and recommendation on implementation,assessment of the WBL implementation

Regulation on Sector Expert Councils establishment, performance and co-ordination procedure (July, 2016)

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Work-Based Learning

Increasing Participation in WBL

8.5.1. Specific Objective “To increase number of qualified VET student’s through participation in work-based learning and practices in enterprise”

The aim: To increase number of qualified VET students3150 VET students will be involved in the WBL

11 025 VET students – in practical trainings and training practices

Responsible for the implementation: Employers’ Confederation of Latvia

Implementation: 2016 III quarter – 2023 III quarter

Regulation: the Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No 483, July 2016

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21 937 153 EUR inter alia

ESF 18 646 580 EUR and

state budget 3 290 573 EUR

MoES Subordinated

VET Institutions’ Network

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Modernization

(infrastructure, programmes, teachers)

Vocational education competence centres

(VECC): 18 VECC

Student proportion VET/GE (%):

33/67 (2009/10) - 39/41 (2017/18)

Aiming for 50/50 (2020)

60

40 3936

33

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2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16

MoES subordinated VET institutions

VET Competence Centers in Latvia

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Structural context of VET reforms in Latvia

Current situation

Modernized VET school network: reduced fragmentation and overlaps,

strengthened sectoral players, investments in infrastructure and equipment

Mechanism of cooperation with labor market: Sectoral Expert Councils (SEC),

VET institutions’ Conventions (via 2015 amendments of VET Law)

Competence development activities aiming teachers and trainers

Sectoral qualifications structure, transition from subject bases curricula to

learning outcome based modular curricula, mapping of sector qualifications

WBL regulation at system level since July 2016 (Regulation of Cabinet of

Ministers), in practice from September 2016 (start of the academic year)

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Education Development Guidelines 2014-2020:

current status of structural context of VET reforms

in Latvia (example from one sector)

Wooden industry map of occupations

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International context – study and transfer of

best practice

Studying the practice from countries with traditional apprenticeship or dual systems –e.g. Germany, Austria, Switzerland

Bi-lateral agreements – with Germany and Switzerland

Multilateral agreements - Memorandum on co-operation in VET in Europe (Berlin,December 2012)

EU VET policy approaches - Riga Conclusions, endorsed in Riga June 22, 2015during the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) 2013

Baltic Alliance for Apprenticeships (BAfA) 2015

EU supported initiatives for policy innovation – e.g. Erasmus+ calls for proposals.

• WBL Balt project finished February 2017

• A current joint Baltic initiative – Erasmus+ project ‘Testing New Approaches toTraining VET and Workplace Tutors for Work Based Learning (TTT4WBL) –

with the participation of the Ministries (and/or their nominated institutions) from thethree Baltic states and a Finnish research institute

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Promoting the examples of good practice in VET

and WBL in Latvia

The examples of good practice of VET and WBL in Latvia have been presented at at finalErasmus+ WBL project conference Baltic Alliance for Apprenticeships for Innovative VET inRiga 25 January, 2017. The conference hosted Baltic delegations as well as representatives fromthe European Commission, CEDEFOP, Swiss Ministry of Education, Swiss Embassy, GermanEmbassy, the the Baltic Assembly, International Labour organisations, foreign investors council(FICIL), GOPA, Latvian parliament, Latvian ministries (Education and Research, Economy,Welfare, Culture, Finances, Foreign affairs), Agencies under ministries and other institutions

The World Bank has organised a study visit of a Polish delegation to Latvia and a videoconferencefor Serbia, Montenegro, Kazakhstan and some other countries to present the Latvian approach toVET

Co-operation on WBL developments has been implemented with the International LabourOrganisation

The Latvian example has been presented at various EU level events, as well as to delegations fromKirghiztan, Kazakhstan, France, Germany, Switzerland, Georgia and other countries

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Background information on the education

system in Latvia

Types of VET programs and their place in the overall

education system

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Vocational education and training

programmes

Vocational education and training programmes are oriented towards obtaining a

professional qualification

Kay types:

Vocational secondary education – 4 years program after completion of compulsory basic education,

awarding diploma of vocational secondary education, allows to continue studies at higher education

level

Vocational education and training – 2-3 years program, acquires a qualification but further studies

are needed to have access to higher education

Vocational basis education and training – a limited number of programs offering qualification that

enables to perform simple tasks

Short programs – 1 – 1,5 years after completion of secondary education. Only professional subjects

and practical training to acquire a qualification.

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VET in the Latvian education system

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Thank you!

Dr Ilze Buligina, senior expert

Department of Vocational and Adult Education

Ministry of Education and Science, Latvia

E-mail address: ilze.buligina@izm.gov.lv

Phone: 00371 29478176