Latvia wins in the competition of the European Association of Hotel and Tourism Schools
On October 8-13 (2012), in Ohrid, Macedonia 25th Annual Conference of the European Association of Hotel and Tourism Schools (AEHT) was held engaging more than 600 participants from 30 countries. During the conference skills competitions for vocational education students were arranged in eight disciplines. Latvia was represented by seven students: four from Riga Food Producers Vocational School (Rīgas Pārtikas ražotāju vidusskola) and three students from Kuldiga Technology and Tourism Vocational Secondary School (Kuldīgas Tehnoloģiju un tūrisma profesionālā vidusskola).
In 2012/2013, cross-border Estonia – Latvia vocational education programmes have been initiated
According to the understanding memorandum about cooperation signed by the ministries of education of Estonia and Latvia, young people from Latvia will start their studies at Valga Vocational School (Estonia) in this study year 2012/2013.
Two vocational schools are among the winners of project competition about innovations in education
State Education Development Agency has announced the results of project competition dealing with introducing innovations in education for 2012. In the competition 24 digitalization projects have been approved and will be implemented in practice. Among the winners there are two vocational education establishments – Riga State Technical School (Rīgas Valsts tehnikums) with the project “Development of integrated learning aids in vocational education” and Ogre State Technical School (Ogres Valsts tehnikums) with the project “Interactive way towards culturology”. The projects may be commenced already since 3 September 2012.
Cultural event for vocational education students and teachers “I call your name – Latvia!”
In honour of 95th anniversary of the Republic of Latvia, which will be celebrated in 18 November 2013, during this study year 2012/2013 an event for vocational students and teachers “I call your name – Latvia!” will be arranged at national scale. The aim of this event is to engage vocational education students in the strengthening national identity and civil awareness, in the preserving and developing national traditions and cultural values, as well as to popularise vocational education system and leisure education in Latvia and Europe.
The higher level qualifications dominate in the long-term labour force forecasts (June 2012)
In June 2012, the Ministry of Economics published its “Informative Report on the long- and medium-term labour market forecasts”, which outlines the current situation in the Latvian labour market, as well as the medium-term labour market forecasts until 2020 and long-term labour market forecasts until 2030 prepared by the Ministry of Economics are included.
Latvia wins again in the international students’ skill competition “Knauf Junior Trophy” (5.-8.06.2012)
On 5-8 June 2012, the 12th international vocational education students’ skill competition “Knauf Junior Trophy 2012” was held at Riga Secondary School of Arts and Crafts in Riga, Latvia. This event is targeted at vocational education students of construction dry structure sector. In the contest, for the second year in a row the Latvian team – students Aleksandrs Pasečniks and Staņislavs Stankevičs (teacher Aleksandrs Boginskis) from the Daugavpils Vocational Secondary School of Builders – won the first place in the competition of 15 countries, and as a prize, they received tablet PCs. The 2nd and 3rd places were gained by the Lithuanian and Austrian teams accordingly.
In terms of an ESF project, 14 sectoral descriptions and qualifications structures were elaborated (2012)
The State Education Development Agency that coordinates the ESF project “Development of sectoral qualifications system and increasing the efficiency and quality of vocational education” (01.12.2010-30.11.2013) has published sectoral descriptions and qualification structures in fourteen sectors elaborated within the project.
The annual skills competition “Chair 2012” (4.-9.06.2012) is concluded
The annual skills competition “Chair 2012” for the Latvian vocational education students in woodworking sector was held on 4-9 June in Riga (Latvia). This competition which was arranged by the National Centre for Education.
Project about setting up a cooperation network in the system of non-formal learning recognition (2012-2013) was initiated
In March 2012, the EU Lifelong Learning Programme KA1-ECETA2 project “An integrated system for the recognition of non-formal learning: the establishment of the national cooperation network” (Val-Net) was initiated, and its activities will conclude on 28 February 2013.
1st place for Latvia in the 20th Vocational Schools’ Sports Games of the Baltic States
The 20th Vocational Schools’ Sports Games of the Baltic States were held from May 17-19 (2012) in the city of Tartu (Estonia). Latvia was represented by 70 vocational students, teachers and headmasters from 18 vocational education establishments. In total, the Latvian team won in the competition with an evident advantage; Lithuania gained 2nd place and Estonia – 3rd place.
