Continuing the development of work based learning
Work based learning (WBL) is a form of vocational education provision in which learners acquire practical skills and knowledge in a real working environment of company (at least half of the study period), but theoretical knowledge is acquired at a vocational education institution. This education form is recognized in the European Union as one of the best ways to motivate students to engage in vocational education.
However, according to Employers’ Confederation of Latvia study carried out in 2015 “Availability and quality of traineeships in Latvia” results, only a third of Latvian companies in the following year “would like to” or “would rather like to” admit trainees. So the question arises – how to motivate employers to engage in provision of work based learning, reducing the costs arising from work based learning traineeships.
The informative report of the Ministry of Economics on support measures to employers involved in work based learning system (LV) proposed three models of work based learning support – scholarship, a differentiated minimum wage and tax incentives. Government (25.08.2015) supported model, where employers pay students scholarship, which is not a subject to income tax and social insurance payment rates. Student is granted a status of apprentice, because they attend part of the work based learning at company and part – at vocational education institution. A trilateral learning agreement is signed instead of usual work contract. Scholarship model anticipates the higher involvement of entrepreneurs and number of WBL places. Model’s impact on the state budget until 2020 would be around 2.3 million euros, but from 2021 to 2030 – 4.2 million euros.
Government has given a task to Ministry of Education and Science in cooperation with Ministry of Economics, Ministry of Welfare, Ministry of Finance and the social partners by 30 November, 2015 to develop and submit to the Cabinet of Ministers draft regulations on the working based learning organization and implementation procedures.
Source: MoES
13.10.2015
Tags: Labour market, Ministry of Economics, MoES, Social partners
