Case Study: Development of Professional Competences of Employed Persons

Overview

• Main implementing organisation: State Education Development Agency

• EU funding programme supporting the project: European Social Fund (ESF)

• EU funding contribution: €39 818 339

• Country: Latvia

The Pact for Skills is pleased to showcase a case study on the ‘Development of Professional Competences of Employed Persons'. 

The main aim of the ‘Development of Professional Competences of Employed Persons’ project is to improve the professional competences of employed people, so that their skills match the needs of the labour market. The project also aims to strengthen the competitiveness of employees as well as their labour productivity.

The project targets all workers over the age of 25 with a particular focus on vulnerable groups, such as employees over 45 with low or insufficient education or training, and refugees.

The project organised several types of educational and training courses, to be held in person, online or in a hybrid format. Upon successful completion, each participants receives a certificate.

Depending on the type of training programme, 90−95 % of the tuition fee is covered by the ESF and the State, while only 5−10 % is covered by the participant. For participants from low-income households, participation to the programme is free.

Since the start of the project in 2017, nearly 80.000 employed people have participated in different training sessions, of which nearly 70 000 participated in at least one training programme.

Participants completed a survey one year after finishing their training. A total of 62 % of survey respondents said that they had gained a broader perspective, and over half reported improvement in their practical skills or theoretical knowledge.

In addition, 60 % of survey respondents said that their training had an impact on their employment, and 41 % reported that they were able to perform their work more efficiently.

More information about the project can be found at this link.

More about funding opportunities for upskilling and reskilling can be accessed via the Pact for Skills funding tool.