- 2016Implementation
- 2017Implementation
- 2018Implementation
- 2019Implementation
- 2020Completed
Background
Long-term unemployment is a significant challenge for the Latvian labour market, so a topical issue is the integration of the long-term unemployed into the labour market, as well as low motivation of the target population.
Objectives
To integrate the long-term unemployed into society by engaging them in permanent employment or relevant training, thus reducing a risk of social exclusion.
Description
In January 2016, the State Employment Agency (NVA) started the ESF 2016-21 project Support for the long-term unemployed. The target group of the project is those who have been unemployed for 12 months or more, or who have addiction problems that impede finding a job.
Professional rehabilitation for people with disabilities is provided by the Social Integration State Agency. In February 2017, the Cabinet of Ministers approved new procedures by which a person receives State-funded professional rehabilitation services and professional suitability determination services. Each programme participant is trained for a new profession, determined according to the type and level of functional disorders and their previous education and professional qualification. In September 2017, an amendment to the Procedures for organising and financing active employment measures was adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers, aiming to set requirements and costs for participation in the Motivational programme targeted at supporting long-term jobseekers with disabilities. This programme, and a social mentor's support, are part of the ESF project Support for long-term unemployed (2015-21) implemented by NVA (the State Employment Agency). The Regulations also stipulate that:
- a support assistant is provided to the disabled by the local government;
- sign-language services are provided;
- special transport expenses for the young unemployed person with disabilities...
In January 2016, the State Employment Agency (NVA) started the ESF 2016-21 project Support for the long-term unemployed. The target group of the project is those who have been unemployed for 12 months or more, or who have addiction problems that impede finding a job.
Professional rehabilitation for people with disabilities is provided by the Social Integration State Agency. In February 2017, the Cabinet of Ministers approved new procedures by which a person receives State-funded professional rehabilitation services and professional suitability determination services. Each programme participant is trained for a new profession, determined according to the type and level of functional disorders and their previous education and professional qualification. In September 2017, an amendment to the Procedures for organising and financing active employment measures was adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers, aiming to set requirements and costs for participation in the Motivational programme targeted at supporting long-term jobseekers with disabilities. This programme, and a social mentor's support, are part of the ESF project Support for long-term unemployed (2015-21) implemented by NVA (the State Employment Agency). The Regulations also stipulate that:
- a support assistant is provided to the disabled by the local government;
- sign-language services are provided;
- special transport expenses for the young unemployed person with disabilities are covered;
- personal support services for persons with mental disabilities are covered by the practice places.
In 2017, the Government amended the Youth guarantee scheme, introducing measures for the validation of competences acquired through non-formal and informal learning as well as specific support measures for learners with disabilities (mental disorders), including grants for the purchase of equipment and technical aids to adapt learning places.
The measure is operational and runs as a regular practice.
The project Support for the long-term unemployed was completed on 30 June 2020. The project has achieved an outcome indicator of 99.9%: 18 332 people out of the planned 18 345 have engaged in the project activities.
Bodies responsible
- Ministry of Education and Science
- Social Integration State Agency
- State Employment Agency (NVA)
Target groups
Learners
- Learners with disabilities
Thematic categories
Supporting lifelong learning culture and increasing participation
Lifelong learning refers to all learning (formal, non-formal or informal) taking place at all stages in life and resulting in an improvement or update in knowledge, skills, competences and attitudes or in participation in society from a personal, civic, cultural, social or employment-related perspective (Erasmus+, Glossary of terms, https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/programme-guide/part-d/glossary-common-terms). A systemic approach to CVET is crucial to ensure adaptability to evolving demands.
This broad thematic category looks at ways of creating opportunities and ensuring access to re-skilling and upskilling pathways, allowing individuals to progress smoothly in their learning throughout their lives with better permeability between general and vocational education and training, and better integration and compatibility between initial and continuing VET and with higher education. Individuals should be supported in acquiring and updating their skills and competences and navigating easily through education and training systems. Strategies and campaigns that promote VET and LLL as an attractive and high-quality pathway, providing quality lifelong guidance and tailored support to design learning and career paths, and various incentives (financial and non-financial) to attract and support participation in VET and LLL fall into this thematic category as well.
This thematic category also includes many initiatives on making VET inclusive and ensuring equal education and training opportunities for various groups of learners, regardless of their personal and economic background and place of residence – especially those at risk of disadvantage or exclusion, such as persons with disabilities, the low-skilled and low-qualified, minorities, migrants, refugees and others.
This thematic sub-category refers to providing the possibility for individuals who are already in the labour market/in employment to reskill and/or acquire higher levels of skills, and to ensuring targeted information resources on the benefits of CVET and lifelong learning. It also covers the availability of CVET programmes adaptable to labour market, sectoral or individual up- and reskilling needs. The sub-category includes working with respective stakeholders to develop digital learning solutions supporting access to CVET opportunities and awarding CVET credentials and certificates.
This thematic sub-category refers to making VET pathways and programmes inclusive and accessible for all. It concerns measures and targeted actions to increase access and participation in VET and lifelong learning for learners from all vulnerable groups, and to support their school/training-to-work transitions. It includes measures to prevent early leaving from education and training. The thematic sub-category covers measures promoting gender balance in traditionally ‘male’ and ‘female’ professions and addressing gender-related and other stereotypes. The vulnerable groups are, but not limited to: persons with disabilities; the low-qualified/-skilled; minorities; persons of migrant background, including refugees; people with fewer opportunities due to their geographical location and/or their socioeconomically disadvantaged circumstances.
Subsystem
Further reading
Country
Type of development
Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Reskilling and other measures for people with disabilities: Latvia. In Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Timeline of VET policies in Europe (2024 update) [Online tool].
https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/pl/tools/timeline-vet-policies-europe/search/28396