In October 2018, the government approved a common list of occupational standards (EQF levels 2-7). The list comprises occupations required by the labour market and identified in sectoral qualifications frameworks.
Based on the list, the National Centre for Education (Valsts izglītības satura centrs) publishes the standards and VET providers (including tertiary) use them to design their curricula. After publication of the standard, providers have six months to update their curricula, if needed.
Previously, VET providers designed curricula using their own list of occupations, with each school naming the same occupation differently. Now, vocational schools will use one list of occupational standards defined by the government. This will consolidate the provision of VET programmes, improve the visibility of vocational education, and help individuals choose programmes that fit their needs.
