During the international education exhibition ‘School 2012’ (1-4 March), the National Centre for Education arranged the ‘Young Professional 2012’ skills competition for vocational education students in Latvia. The event was held at the Kipsala International Exhibition Centre in Riga, Latvia. This year 180 students from 50 vocational education establishments took part in 26 competitions.
Skills competitions and demonstrations were held in the following sectors: mechanics and mechatronics, metalworking, power industry, electronics and automation, transportation, construction, wood processing, chemical industry, textile industry and beauty services, business, business services, information and communication technology, printing, health and social care, as well as road construction.
The activities organised during this event showcased the occupations for which VET schools provide training as well as the latest technologies in the sectors. The event aimed at:
- promoting understanding of the important of VET for the Latvian economy and fostering the development of vocational education through cooperation between employers and vocational schools;
- encouraging VET teachers to exchange experiences;
- popularising the occupations included the competitions;
- providing an opportunity for the participants in the competitions to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
The exhibition also included professional improvement activities in professional sectors for VET teachers. This activity is linked to the ESF project ‘The improvement of theoretical knowledge and practical competences for vocational subject teachers and for supervisors of practical training’. On 2 March, the third project conference ‘Vocational education teachers’ professional improvement – preparing for skills competitions’ was held.