The translation of this document is outdated.
Translation validity: 06.07.2017.–31.03.2022.
Amendments not included:
03.03.2022.
Text consolidated by Valsts valodas centrs (State
Language Centre) with amending laws of:
5 July 2001 [shall come
into force on 1 September 2001];
21 September 2006 [shall come into force on 25 October
2006];
7 June 2007 [shall come into force on 11 July
2007];
12 December 2008 [shall come into force on 1 January
2009];
29 January 2009 [shall come into force on 1 July
2009];
12 June 2009 [shall come into force on 1 July
2009];
10 June 2010 [shall come into force on 1 July
2010];
16 December 2010 [shall come into force on 1 January
2011];
15 December 2011 [shall come into force on 1 January
2012];
19 April 2012 [shall come into force on 17 May
2012];
15 November 2012 [shall come into force on 1 January
2013];
23 April 2015 [shall come into force on 15 May
2015];
22 December 2016 [shall come into force on 6 January
2017];
22 June 2017 [shall come into force on 6 July 2017].
If a whole or part of a section has been amended, the
date of the amending law appears in square brackets at
the end of the section. If a whole section, paragraph or
clause has been deleted, the date of the deletion appears
in square brackets beside the deleted section, paragraph
or clause.
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The Saeima 1 has adopted and
the President has proclaimed the following law:
Vocational Education Law
Chapter I
General Provisions
Section 1. Terms Used in the Law
(1) Terms used in this Law correspond to those terms used in
the Education Law unless specified otherwise in this Law.
(2) The following terms are used in this Law:
1) vocational training - partial secondary level vocational
education which provides a possibility to obtain a second level
professional qualification;
2) centralised examination - an examination created according
to special methods and organised in accordance with unified
procedures at the State level in order to assess learning
outcomes of educatees for the completion of vocational education
or professional qualification;
21) examination centre - a commercial company or an
association accredited in accordance with the procedures
determined by the Cabinet which does not implement educational
programmes but in which examinations shall be taken for the
acquisition of a professional qualification in the field of
production of goods, distribution or services determined
according to the field of its operation in the cases provided for
in Section 6, Paragraphs three and seven of this Law;
22) internship - the final part of the completion
of the practical part (professional skills and competences) of
the relevant vocational education programme before the State
examination for the acquisition of a professional
qualification;
23) training placement - completion of the
practical part of the relevant vocational education programme in
an educational institution our outside of it, with the exception
of internship;
24) module - a component of professional
qualification which is based on learning outcomes to be achieved
as an assessable and provable set of knowledge, skills and
competences;
25) module programme - a component of a vocational
education programme which includes the objectives and tasks of a
module, the contents of the module, a plan for acquiring the
contents, the criteria and procedures for the assessment of the
acquired education, as well as a list of methods and resources
necessary for the implementation of the programme;
26) modular vocational education programme - a
vocational education programme the vocational content of which,
depending on the objective put forward for the educational
programme, is made up of a set of modules and in the result of
acquisition of which a professional qualification can be
acquired;
3) trainee - an educatee who is in a training placement at an
institution, economic operator or association for the completion
of the practical part of the relevant vocational education
programme;
4) profession - a type of occupation of a natural person in
the field of the production of goods, distribution or services,
as well as in education, culture and art which requires a certain
preparedness (education);
5) higher vocational education - higher level vocational
education which provides a possibility to acquire the fourth or
fifth level professional qualification;
6) basic vocational education - basic level vocational
education which provides a possibility to obtain the first level
professional qualification;
7) professional experience - previous work in a relevant
profession in the Republic of Latvia, as well as in a foreign
country;
8) secondary vocational education - medium level vocational
education which provides a possibility to obtain the third level
professional qualification;
81) professional competence - the set of knowledge,
skills and responsibility necessary for performing professional
activities in a specific work situation;
9) level of professional qualification - theoretical and
practical preparedness which provides allows to perform work
corresponding to a certain level of complexity and
responsibility;
10) first level higher vocational education (college
education) - higher level vocational education which provides a
possibility to obtain the fourth level professional
qualification;
11) second level higher vocational education - higher level
vocational education which provides a possibility to obtain the
fifth level professional qualification;
12) continuing vocational education - special kind of
vocational education which provides an opportunity for adults
with previous education and professional experience to acquire a
specific level professional qualification;
13) professional development - a special kind of vocational
education which provides an opportunity for persons, irrespective
of their age and previous education or professional
qualification, to acquire systematic professional knowledge and
skills corresponding to the requirements of the labour
market.
[5 July 2001; 21 September 2006; 10 June 2010; 23 April
2015; 22 June 2017]
Section 2. Purpose and Tasks of this
Law
(1) The purpose of this Law is to implement the State
vocational education policy and to ensure the operation,
management and development of the vocational education
system.
(2) The tasks of the Law are as follows:
1) to ensure the possibility to obtain general knowledge and
skills, as well as a professional qualification;
2) to determine the levels of vocational education, levels of
professional qualifications and the education necessary for
obtaining the relevant professional qualification;
3) to determine the competence of the persons involved in
vocational education and the awarding of professional
qualifications;
4) to provide comparability of the vocational education and
professional qualifications of Latvia with the vocational
education and professional qualifications obtainable in foreign
countries, providing the possibility for educatees to continue
education in a foreign country and compete in the international
labour market.
Section 3. Application of this
Law
(1) The Law governs implementation of vocational basic
education, vocational secondary education and continuing
vocational education and the award of a corresponding
professional qualification.
(2) Implementation of the first and second level vocational
higher education and the award of a corresponding professional
qualification is governed by the Law on Higher Education
Institutions and other laws and regulations.
[21 September 2006; 23 April 2015]
Section 4. Levels of Vocational
Education
(1) The following levels of vocational education are specified
in the education system of Latvia:
1) vocational basic education;
2) vocational secondary education;
3) vocational higher education;
(2) Vocational higher education shall be divided as
follows:
1) first level vocational higher education (college
education);
2) second level vocational higher education.
[5 July 2001]
Section 5. Levels of Professional
Qualification
Levels of professional qualification are as follows:
1) the first professional qualification level - theoretical
and practical training which allows to perform simple tasks in a
specific area of practical activity (corresponds to the second
level of the Latvian Qualifications Framework);
2) the second professional qualification level - theoretical
and practical training which allows to independently perform
qualified artisan work (corresponds to the third level of the
Latvian Qualifications Framework);
3) the third professional qualification level - higher
theoretical training and professional craftsmanship which allows
to perform specific artisan duties that also include the planning
and organising of the work to be performed (corresponds to the
fourth level of the Latvian Qualifications Framework);
4) the fourth professional qualification level - theoretical
and practical training which allows to perform complicated
artisan work, as well as to organise and manage the work of other
specialists (corresponds to the fifth level of the Latvian
Qualifications Framework);
5) the fifth professional qualification level - higher
qualification of a specialist of a specific industry which allows
to plan and also perform scientific research work in the relevant
industry (corresponds to the sixth and seventh level of the
Latvian Qualifications Framework).
[23 April 2015 / The new wording of Section shall
come into force on 16 July 2015. See Paragraph 24 of
Transitional Provisions]
Section 6. Documents Certifying
Vocational Education and Professional Qualification
(1) The following State recognised vocational education
documents shall be issued for the acquisition of an accredited
vocational education programme:
1) a certificate of vocational basic education;
2) a certificate of vocational training;
3) a diploma of vocational secondary education;
4) a diploma of first level vocational higher education.
(2) A state-recognised vocational education document shall
certify the acquisition of a certain vocational education and
professional qualification. A state-recognised vocational
education document shall be issued to an educatee who has
completed an accredited vocational education programme and passed
the professional qualification final examinations and other
examinations specified by the State vocational education
standard.
(3) A professional qualification certificate shall confirm the
obtaining of a specific professional qualification. A
professional qualification certificate shall be issued to an
educatee who has passed the professional qualification
examination and fulfilled one of the following conditions:
1) has completed an accredited continuing vocational education
programme;
2) has partly or fully completed an accredited vocational
education programme;
3) has completed the relevant vocational education programme
in the form of self-education.
(4) To an educatee who has partly completed an accredited
education programme and has not passed the qualification
examinations, the educational institution shall issue a document
in accordance with the procedures specified by the Cabinet on the
completion of the relevant part of the vocational education
programme.
(5) A certificate on the completion of the professional
development education shall be issued to an educatee who has
completed a professional development programme.
(6) A certificate on the acquisition of a vocationally
oriented education shall be issued to an educatee who has
completed a vocationally oriented education programme.
(7) A professional qualification certificate shall be issued
to a person which has received the professional competence
outside the formal education system and whose professional
competence has been assessed according to the procedures laid
down in this Law and has been recognised as corresponding to the
professional competence of the first, second or third level
professional qualification.
(8) The level of the Latvian Qualifications Framework shall
also be indicated in the state-recognised documents certifying
vocational education and documents certifying professional
qualification.
(9) An educatee who has completed a module or several modules
of an accredited modular vocational education programme that are
recognisable in the labour market and identifiable as a set of
assessable knowledge, skills and competences, but which do not
certify the obtaining of a professional qualification, shall
receive a certificate issued by an educational institution for
the completion of the respective module or modules, stating the
name of the educational institution, the given name, surname and
personal identity number of the educatee, the code and name of
the accredited educational programme, names of completed modules,
achieved outcomes and assessment, time of completion, given name
and surname of the head of the educational institution, number of
the issued certificate and the date of issue.
[5 July 2001; 10 June 2010; 23 April 2015; 22 June
2017]
Chapter II
Organisation of Vocational Education
Section 7. Competence of the
Cabinet
The Cabinet shall:
1) [21 September 2006];
2) determine the procedures for the development of a
profession standard, requirements for professional qualification
(if a profession standard need not be developed for the
profession) and a structure of industry qualifications, as well
as the authority which shall develop and update the structure of
industry qualifications;
21) determine a list of mandatory profession
standards and requirements for professional qualification,if a
profession standard need not be developed for the profession, and
the procedures for making public the profession standards and
requirements for professional qualification included therein;
3) [5 July 2001];
4) determine the procedures for the organisation of training
placement and internship;
5) determine the form of state-recognised vocational
qualification documents, issuance criteria and procedures, as
well as the form of documents certifying professional development
and vocationally oriented education and the procedures for their
making and issuing thereof;
6) [5 July 2001];
7) determine procedures for the accreditation of examination
centres in which centralised examinations of professional
qualification are to be administered;
8) [23 April 2015];
9) determine the mandatory documents for organising the
teaching process at vocational education institutions and
obtaining of professional qualification at examination
centres;
10) determine the procedures for the course of centralised
professional qualification examinations;
11) determine the criteria and procedures for granting and
cancelling status of a vocational education competence
centre;
12) determine the procedures for calculating and allocating
the State budget earmarked grant for teachers' work remuneration
in local government educational institutions which implement
vocational basic education, vocational training and vocational
secondary education programmes;
13) determine the price list of the paid services provided
within the framework of the public administration task -
assessment of professional competence acquired outside the formal
education system - by vocational education institutions and
examination centres;
14) determine the procedures by which Sectoral Expert Councils
shall be established and operate;
15) determine the procedures for organising and implementing
work-based learning;
16) perform other functions related to vocational education
specified in this Law and the Education Law.
[5 July 2001; 21 September 2006; 16 December 2010; 19 April
2012; 23 April 2015; 22 June 2017]
Section 8. Mandate of the Ministry
of Education and Science
The Ministry of Education and Science shall:
1) [21 September 2006];
2) [21 September 2006];
3) [21 September 2006];
4) develop proposals and submit, in accordance with specific
procedure, a request for the granting of funds from the State
budget, finance vocational education institutions and vocational
education support institutions subordinate thereto from the funds
allocated for this purpose;
5) develop draft in-service training organisation regulations
and other regulatory enactments in vocational education;
6) organise the introduction of vocational orientation and
career education in education;
61) ensure recognition of professional competences
acquired outside the formal education system;
7) [21 September 2006];
8) approve the by-laws of the State vocational education
institutions subordinate to the Ministry of Education and
Science;
9) perform other functions related to vocational education
specified in this Law and the Education Law.
[5 July 2001; 21 September 2006; 10 June 2010]
Section 9. Mandate of Other
Ministries
(1) Other ministries shall:
1) develop proposals and submit, in accordance with specific
procedures, a request for the granting of funds from the State
budget, finance vocational education institutions and vocational
education support institutions subordinate thereto from the funds
allocated for this purpose;
2) co-operate with the Ministry of Education and Science in
the development and updating of profession standards, the
evaluation of the quality of vocational education and other
matters connected with vocational education;
3) organise further education of teachers in vocational
education institutions subordinate thereto in co-operation with
the Ministry of Education and Science, other State authorities
and local governments;
4) participate in the activities of the State, local
governments, trade unions, employers and other associations or
foundations, and authorities promoting co-operation;
5) organise continuing vocational education and professional
development of adults, as well as the retraining and training of
the unemployed;
6) perform other functions related to vocational education
specified in this Law and the Education Law.
(2) With regard to State vocational education institutions
subordinate to the Ministry of Defence, the mandate of the
Ministry of Defence laid down in this Section may be exercised by
the National Armed Forces in accordance with the laws and
regulations governing their operation.
(3) With regard to State vocational education institutions
subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior, the mandate of the
Ministry of the Interior laid down in this Section may be
exercised by the State Police, the State Border Guard, and the
State Fire-Fighting and Rescue Service in accordance with the
laws and regulations governing their operation.
[5 July 2001; 21 September 2006]
Section 10. Mandate of Local
Governments
(1) Local governments shall participate in the implementation
of vocational education, shall promote the development of
entrepreneurial activities in its territory, shall co-operate
with employers' organisations, shall participate in resolving
their issues that are connected with the provision of the
traineeship placements for educatees in the territory of the
relevant local government.
(2) This Law, the Education Law and other laws and regulations
shall determine the mandate of local governments in the
implementation of vocational education.
[21 September 2006]
Section 10.1 Vocational
Education Administration
[12 June 2009]
Section 11. Vocational Education
Support Institutions
(1) Vocational education support institutions shall be
established to ensure research, informative, methodological and
other kinds of intellectual support to educateees, parents of
educatees, teachers, educational institutions and professional
organisations.
(2) Vocational education support institutions shall:
1) provide organisational and methodological assistance in the
development of profession standards, development and
implementation of educational programmes, career guidance and
other matters related to vocational education;
2) organise the development of teaching aids;
3) organise the further education of teachers;
4) participate in the research of labour markets and other
markets associated with vocational education.
(3) State vocational education support institutions shall be
established, reorganised and liquidated by the Cabinet on the
basis of a proposal of the Ministry of Education and Science or
another Ministry.
[5 July 2001]
Section 12. Mandate of Sectoral
Expert Councils, Labour Organisations and other Associations or
Foundations
(1) The objective of the operation of Sectoral Expert Councils
is to facilitate the improvement of the effectiveness and quality
of vocational education in the respective industry by promoting
co-operation between the State and local governments, industry
employers and their associations, trade unions and specialists on
issues related to human resource development and conformity of
vocational education to labour market requirements.
(2) Sectoral Expert Councils shall:
1) provide proposals on the number of educatees in vocational
education institutions required by industries;
2) participate in planning the development of the network of
vocational education institutions and vocational education
programmes;
3) participate in the establishment of sectoral qualifications
structures by aligning it with market requirements and provide
proposals on professions required by the relevant industry and
corresponding specialisations;
4) assess and provide an opinion on profession standards and
develop proposals on requirements of professional qualification,
delegate experts for the development of profession standards,
requirements of professional qualification, content of vocational
education programmes and content of professional qualification
examinations;
5) delegate sectoral experts for participation in licensing
and accreditation of vocational education institutions,
examination centres and vocational education programmes and in
professional qualification examinations, provide opinions for
taking of decisions on licensing and accreditation of vocational
education programmes;
6) coordinate and promote co-operation of merchants with
vocational education institutions on issues concerning
implementation of education programmes, including support to
work-based learning and organising of training placements and
internships;
7) deal with issues related to employment, demand and supply
in the labour market of the relevant industry.
(3) Sectoral Expert Councils have the right to propose changes
in the operation of vocational education institutions.
(4) Representatives of industry non-governmental organisations
(including employer, employee and industry professional
non-governmental organisations), as well as public entities
(including State authorities, local governments and universities)
and other sectoral experts can be involved in the composition of
Sectoral Expert Councils.
(5) Operation of the Sectoral Expert Council of the food
industry and agriculture sector shall be coordinated by the
Latvian Agricultural Organization Co-operation Council. Operation
of other Sectoral Expert Councils shall be coordinated by the
Employers' Confederation of Latvia. The Cabinet shall determine
the procedures for coordinating the operation of Sectoral Expert
Councils.
(6) Labour organisations and other associations or foundations
shall promote the development of vocational education within
their competence.
(7) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to the area
of state defence.
(8) The provisions of this Section regarding the mandate of
Sectoral Expert Councils shall apply insofar as they are not in
conflict with laws and regulations that regulate the operation of
the State Police, the State Fire-Fighting and Rescue Service and
the State Border Guard.
[23 April 2015]
Section 13.
[21 September 2006]
Chapter III
Vocational Education Institutions
Section 14. Procedures for the
Establishment, Re-organisation and Liquidation of Vocational
Education Institutions
(1) State vocational education institutions shall be
established, re-organised and liquidated by the Cabinet on the
basis of a proposal of the Ministry of Education and Science or
another Ministry.
(2) Local government vocational education institutions shall
be established, re-organised and liquidated by the relevant local
government councils, agreeing thereupon with the Ministry of
Education and Science.
(3) Private vocational education institutions shall be
established, re-organised and liquidated by legal persons and
natural persons. State and local governments may participate in
the establishment of private education institutions.
(31) The relevant authorities and persons shall be
informed of the liquidation or reorganisation of an educational
institution not later than six months in advance.
(4) The Education Law shall specify procedures for the
registration of vocational education institutions.
[10 June 2010]
Section 15. Status of a Vocational
Education Institution and Operation Thereof
(1) The legal basis for the operation of a vocational
education institution shall be this Law, the Education Law, other
laws and regulations and the by-laws of the relevant vocational
education institution. The founder of a vocational education
institution shall approve its by-laws.
(11) Vocational education institutions have the
following legal status depending on who is their founder:
1) vocational education institutions founded by the State -
status of a State institution of direct administration or status
of a State capital company;
2) vocational education institutions founded by local
governments - status of an institution of indirect
administration;
3) vocational education institutions founded by private
persons are commercial companies, associations or foundations,
which operate in accordance with the Commercial Law or the
Associations and Foundations Law insofar as they are not in
conflict with this Law.
(2) The basic purpose of vocational education institutions
shall be the implementation of vocational education
programmes.
(21) A vocational education institution that
implements vocational secondary education programmes which allows
to obtain the third level professional qualification have the
right to additionally perform the functions of a regional or
sectoral methodological centre, a centre for further education of
teachers and assessment of professional competence acquired
outside the formal education system.
(3) A vocational education institution has, in accordance with
the Education Law and the provisions of other laws and
regulations, the right to independently perform economic and
other kinds of activities if such does not interfere with the
implementation of education programmes and it has been provided
for in the by-laws of the education institution.
(4) If the Minister for Education and Science has ascertained
non-compliance of the by-laws of a State vocational education
institution, with the exception of a college, or the operation
thereof with laws or other regulations, he or she may suspend the
operation of the by-law until relevant amendments have been made
or imperfections are eliminated within a period of time specified
by him or her.
(5) If the Minister for Education and Science has ascertained
non-compliance with the by-laws of the local government or
private education institution, excluding colleges, or in the
operation thereof with laws or other regulation, he or she may
propose to the founder of the institution to suspend the
operation of the by-laws of the institution until the relevant
amendments have been made or imperfections are eliminated within
the period of time specified by him or her.
(6) If within the period of time specified by the Minister for
Education and Science the education institution has not made the
relevant amendments or has not eliminated the imperfections
indicated, the Minister has the right to suspend the operation of
the education institution or withdraw the registration
certificate of the education institution, deleting such education
institution from the Register of Education Institutions.
(7) The decision on the accreditation of vocational education
institutions and examination centres shall be taken within six
months from the day of submitting the relevant application.
[5 July 2001; 21 September 2006; 12 June 2009; 16 December
2010; 19 April 2012]
Section 15.1. Vocational
Education Competence Centre
(1) A vocational education institution that implements
vocational secondary education programmes which provide allow to
obtain the third level professional qualification and
additionally performs the functions of a regional or sectoral
methodological centre, a centre for further education of teachers
and assessment of professional competence obtained outside the
formal education system, is entitled to acquire the status of a
vocational education competence centre in conformity with the
criteria laid down by the Cabinet.
(11) A vocational education institution that
implements only art, music or dance vocational secondary
education programmes which allows to obtain the third level
professional qualification and additionally performs the
functions of a regional or sectoral methodological centre, a
centre for further education of teachers and assessment of
professional competence acquired outside the formal education
system, is entitled to acquire the status of a vocational
education competence centre in the field of art, music or dance
if it conforms to the criteria laid down by the Cabinet for
determining of the relevant status.
(2) A vocational education institution that wishes to acquire
the status of a vocational education competence centre shall
submit an application for this to the Ministry of Education and
Science. In order to acquire the status of a vocational education
competence centre in the field of art, music or dance, a
vocational education institution shall submit an application to
the Ministry of Culture. The application shall be accompanied by
documents that certify the conformity of the educational
institution to the criteria determined by the Cabinet referred to
in Paragraph one or 1.1 of this Section.
(3) The Ministry of Education and Science or the Ministry of
Culture shall examine the application referred to in Paragraph
two of this Section within three months after the day it is
submitted and submit to the Cabinet a proposal on granting the
status of a vocational education competence centre or refusal to
grant it.
(4) The Cabinet shall take the decision to grant the status of
a vocational education competence centre, refuse to grant it or
annul the status within a month after the day of receiving the
proposal of the Ministry of Education and Science or the Ministry
of Culture. Appeal of the decision to refuse to grant the status
of a vocational education competence centre shall not suspend its
operation.
[16 December 2010; 19 April 2012; 23 April 2015]
Section 16. Name of a Vocational
Education Institution
(1) According to the education and professional qualification
that can be obtained in a vocational education institution, the
following educational institutions exist:
1) vocational primary school (an educational institution which
implements programmes of vocational basic education, which allow
to obtain the first level professional qualification);
2) vocational school (an educational institution which
implements vocational training programmes which allow to obtain
the second level professional qualification);
3) vocational secondary school (an educational institution
which implements programmes of vocational secondary education
which allow to obtain the third level professional
qualification);
4) technical school (an educational institution which
implements programmes of vocational secondary education which
allow to obtain the third level professional qualification, and
to which the status of a vocational education competence centre
has been granted);
5) college (an educational institution which implements first
level vocational higher education (college education) programmes
and allows to obtain the fourth level professional
qualification).
(11) [19 April 2012]
(2) In addition to the name referred to in Paragraph one of
this Section, the name of a vocational education institution can
include a reference to the profile of the education
programme.
(21) In the name of a vocational education
institution the reference to the type of education can be
replaced with a reference to the profile of the education
programme.
(3) A vocational education institution has the right to
implement different levels of vocational education programmes.
The name of the educational institution shall be determined
pursuant to the highest level of education to be implemented in
the relevant educational institution if the proportion of the
relevant education programmes are not less than 30 per cent.
(4) Vocational secondary education programmes and vocational
training programmes can also be implemented in colleges.
(5) Paragraph one, Clause 4 of this Section shall not apply to
vocational education institutions subordinate to the Ministry of
Culture and educational institutions which implement first level
vocational higher education (college education) programmes.
[5 July 2001; 21 September 2006; 16 December 2010; 19 April
2012]
Section 17. By-laws of a Vocational
Education Institution
The by-laws of a vocational education institution shall
indicate:
1) the name and legal address of the educational
institution;
2) the founder of the educational institution and the legal
status of the institution;
3) the objectives, main directions of activity, and tasks of
the educational institution;
4) the educational programmes to be implemented in the
educational institution;
5) the organisation of the educational process;
6) the rights and obligations of teachers and other
employees;
7) the rights and obligations of educatees;
71) the administrative bodies and advisory bodies
of the educational institution;
8) the procedures for the establishment of self-management of
the educational institution and the competence thereof;
9) the procedures for acceptance of documents regulating the
internal order of the educational institution;
10) the economic activity of the educational institution;
11) the sources and procedures for the financing of the
educational institution;
12) the procedures for reorganising and liquidating the
educational institution;
13) the procedures for accepting the by-laws of the
educational institution and its amendments;
14) other important regulations which are not in contradiction
with this Law, the Education Law, and other laws and
regulations.
[23 April 2015]
Section 17.1 Convention
of a Vocational Education Institution
(1) State and local government vocational education
institutions which implement vocational basic education,
vocational training and vocational secondary education programmes
shall establish a collegiate advisory body - convention the
objective of which is to promote the development of the
vocational education institution according to labour market
requirements.
(2) The convention shall be established and its by-laws shall
be issued by the head of the vocational education institution,
laying down the functions, tasks, composition and work
organisation of the convention.
(3) A convention shall be composed of five to seven
counsellors. The composition of the convention shall include the
head of a vocational education institution, a representative of
the ministry to which the vocational education institution is
subordinated, as well as representatives of the relevant local
government and employers and their associations. The composition
of the convention can also include a representative of the
relevant planning region. The convention shall be chaired by a
representative of employers or the relevant local government.
(4) Decisions of a convention shall take the form of
recommendation.
(5) A convention shall:
1) provide proposals to the head of a vocational education
institution on development strategy issues and in the development
of vocational education planning documents;
2) participate in the process of selection and assessment of
teaching staff (administration) of the vocational education
institution;
3) provide proposals on the vocational education programme
developed by the vocational education institution before it is
submitted for receiving a licence;
4) promote co-operation of the vocational education
institution with the economic operator of the region in
organizing training placements and work-based learning.
(6) The provisions of this Section shall apply only to those
vocational education institutions in the field of art, music or
dance which have acquired the status of a vocational education
competence centre.
(7) The provisions of this Section shall apply to vocational
education institutions subordinated to the Ministry of the
Interior insofar as they are not in conflict with laws and
regulations that regulate the operation of the State Police, the
State Fire-Fighting and Rescue Service and the State Border
Guard.
(8) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to
vocational education institutions subordinated to the Ministry of
Defence.
[23 April 2015]
Chapter IV
Teachers and Educatees of Vocational Education Institutions
Section 18. The Right to Work as a
Teacher in a Vocational Education Institution
A person shall have the right to work as a teacher in a
vocational education institution who has an appropriate
vocational education (qualification) and pedagogical education or
who has an appropriate vocational education (qualification) and
who is acquiring a pedagogical education, which meets the
requirements specified by the Cabinet for the professional
qualification of a teacher of a vocational education
institution.
Section 19. Professional
Qualification of Teachers at a Vocational Education
Institution
The professional qualification of a teacher of a vocational
education institution shall be certified by state-recognised
documents regarding an appropriate vocational education
(qualification) and pedagogical education.
Section 20. Remuneration for Work by
a Teacher of a Vocational Education Institution
(1) The remuneration for work by a teacher of a vocational
education institution shall be determined in accordance with his
or her professional experience, professional qualification and
workload.
(2) [5 July 2001]
[5 July 2001]
Section 21. Relationship of
Educatees with Mandatory Military Service
[7 June 2007]
Chapter V
Content of Vocational Education
Section 22. Basic Documents
Regulating the Content of Vocational Education
The basic documents regulating the content of vocational
education shall be the following:
1) the State vocational education standard;
2) the profession standard or the requirements for
professional qualification, if a profession standard need not be
developed for the profession, which shall be agreed upon with the
Vocational Education and Employment Tripartite Co-operation
Sub-council of the National Tripartite Co-operation Council;
3) a description of the structure of industry qualifications
developed and updated by an authority determined by the Cabinet,
by coordinating it with the Sectoral Expert Council and the
Vocational Education and Employment Tripartite Co-operation
Sub-council of the National Tripartite Co-operation Council;
4) the vocational education programme.
[23 April 2015; 22 June 2017]
Section 23. State Vocational
Education Standards
(1) The State vocational education standards determined by law
- the State vocational training standard, the State vocational
secondary education standard and the State first level vocational
higher education standard - in accordance with the educational
level shall be determined by:
1) the strategic objectives of the educational programmes;
2) the mandatory content of education;
3) the guiding principles and procedures for the evaluation of
the acquired education.
(2) The State vocational education standards shall be drawn up
by the Ministry of Education and Science and they shall be
approved by the Cabinet.
Section 24. Profession Standard
A profession standard determines the principal tasks and
duties of professional activity, requirements for professional
qualification, general and professional knowledge, skills,
attitudes and competences necessary for performing them, which
correspond to a profession. A separate profession standard need
not be developed for the related professions and specialisations
of the relevant profession, but professional qualification
requirements shall be developed and coordinated.
[23 April 2015; 22 June 2017]
Section 24.1 Requirements
for Professional Qualification
Professional qualification requirements determine the
knowledge, skills, attitudes, professional competences required
for performing a work task in the related professions and
specifications of the relevant industry.
[23 April 2015]
Section 24.2 Structure of
Industry Qualifications
A structure of industry qualifications is a general
description of the professions of an industry, as well as an
overview of the specialisations and related professions included
in the industry's professions which indicates professional
qualification levels for professions and specialisations.
[23 April 2015]
Section 25. Vocational Education
Programme
(1) A vocational education programme shall be a document
governing vocational education, which, in accordance with the
State vocational education standard of the relevant educational
level and profession standard or the requirements for
professional qualification (if a profession standard need not be
developed for the profession) shall determine:
1) the objective of the vocational education programme and the
results to be achieved;
2) the content of the vocational education programme;
3) the implementation plan of the vocational education
programme;
4) the requirements in respect of education acquired
previously;
5) the level of the vocational education programme in the
Latvian Qualifications Framework;
6) the staff, financial and material resources necessary for
the implementation of the vocational education programme.
(2) The vocational education programme shall be drawn up by
the educational institution in co-ordination with the founder
thereof.
[23 April 2015; 22 June 2017]
Section 26. Types of Vocational
Education Programmes
(1) Depending on the education to be acquired, vocational
education programmes shall be divided as follows:
1) vocational basic education programmes;
2) vocational training programmes;
3) vocational secondary education programmes;
4) first level vocational higher education (college education)
programmes;
5) continuing vocational education programmes;
6) professional development programmes;
7) vocationally oriented education programmes.
(2) Modular vocational education programmes can be implemented
in vocational basic education, vocational training, vocational
secondary education and continuing vocational education.
[5 July 2001; 22 June 2017]
Section 27. Admission of Educatees
to Vocational Education Programmes
(1) A person shall be admitted to a vocational basic education
and vocational training programme without limitation of their
previous education and not earlier than in that calendar year
when he or she becomes 15 years old.
(2) A person shall be admitted to a vocational secondary
education programme after the acquisition of a general primary
education or vocational basic education.
(3) A person shall be admitted to a first level higher
vocational education programme after the acquisition of a general
secondary education or vocational secondary education.
(4) Admission to professional development programmes shall not
be regulated.
(5) This Law, the Law on Trade Activities and other laws and
regulations shall determine procedures by which employees
(trainees) shall complete vocational education programmes.
(6) A person shall be admitted to a continuing vocational
education programme which allows to obtain the second level
professional qualification, without limitation of their previous
education.
(7) A person shall be accepted for a continuing vocational
education programme which allows to obtain the third level
professional qualification, after the completion of vocational
training or acquisition of secondary education.
(8) A person shall be accepted for a continuing vocational
education programme which allows to obtain the fourth level
professional qualification and which is implemented in a college
or higher education institution if he or she has at least a first
level higher vocational education.
(9) Requirements for admission to an educational programme the
completion of which allows to obtain the first level professional
qualification, or requirements for admission to a vocationally
oriented education programme shall be determined by the relevant
education programme.
[5 July 2001; 21 September 2006]
Section 28. Implementation of
Vocational Education Programmes
(1) The forms of acquisition of vocational education shall be
the following:
1) intramural studies, including work-based learning;
2) extramural studies;
3) self-education;
4) [22 June 2017].
(2) The duration of the implementation of a vocational
education programme in the form of intramural studies in a
vocational education institution shall be the following:
1) the duration of acquisition of a vocational basic education
- not more than two years (with a pedagogical correction and in
programmes for educatees with mental development disorders - not
more than three years);
2) the duration of completion of vocational training - not
more than three years;
3) the duration of acquisition of vocational secondary
education after the acquisition of primary education - three to
four years; after the acquisition of vocational training - from
one to two years;
4) the duration of acquisition of a first level vocational
higher education - from two to three years.
(3) A teaching load in one week of a vocational education
programme may not exceed:
1) for educatees under 18 - 36 lesson hours;
2) for educatees aged from 18 - 40 lesson hours.
(4) The duration of a lesson shall be from 40 to 45 minutes,
and it shall be determined by the head of the educational
institution.
(5) The continuing vocational education programme shall
include not less than 30 per cent of the amount of mandatory
vocational content specified by the State vocational training or
the State vocational secondary education standard.
(6) The duration for the completion and the content of
professional development and vocationally oriented education
shall be determined by the relevant education programme.
[5 July 2001; 21 September 2006; 19 April 2012; 23 April
2015; 22 June 2017]
Section 29. Final Examinations for
the Completion of a Vocational Education Programme
(1) The completion of a vocational education programme shall
be concluded with the qualification examinations and by other
final examinations specified in the vocational education
standard.
(2) An educatee who has commenced the acquisition of a
vocational basic education or vocational training without a
primary education shall also be provided with a pedagogical
correction, and after passing the final examinations shall be
issued in addition with an education document regarding the
acquisition of a general primary education.
(3) The Cabinet shall approve a list of the professional
qualifications which shall be obtained by passing the
professional qualification centralised examinations.
(4) Professional qualification centralised examinations shall,
in accordance with the requirements of the vocational education
standard, be passed in accredited vocational education
institutions or in accredited examination centres. Vocational
education institutions and examination centres shall organise the
process of qualification examinations in co-operation with
vocational education support institutions, sectoral ministries
and professional organisations. Examination centres shall be
accredited in accordance with the procedures specified by the
Cabinet.
[5 July 2001; 21 September 2006]
Section 29.1. Assessment
of Professional Competence Acquired outside the Formal Education
System
(1) Assessment of professional competence shall take place by
taking into consideration the requirements of the relevant
profession standard.
(2) Assessment of professional competence acquired outside of
the formal education system can be delegated to an accredited
educational institution or an accredited examination centre.
(3) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for assessing
professional competence obtained outside of the formal education
system.
[10 June 2010 / Paragraphs one and two shall come
into force on 1 January 2011. See Paragraph 12 of
Transitional Provisions]
Section 30. Licensing of Vocational
Education Programmes, Accreditation and Registration of
Vocational Education Institutions and Education Programmes
(1) Vocational education programmes shall be licensed and
vocational education institutions shall be registered and
accredited in accordance with the procedures specified by the
Education Law.
(2) An educational institution is entitled to implement only
licensed vocational education programmes.
(3) During accreditation of the vocational education
programme, the quality of implementation of the vocational
education programme shall be evaluated. An education institution
which implements an accredited vocational education programme has
the right to issue a state-recognised document certifying
vocational education or a professional qualification.
(4) First and second level vocational higher education
programmes shall be accredited in accordance with the procedures
set out in the Institutions of Higher Education Law.
(5) Vocational education programmes, except for professional
development, vocationally oriented and non-formal education
programmes, shall be accredited in accordance with the procedures
specified in the Education Law.
(6) Accredited local government and private vocational
education and vocationally oriented education institutions shall
be entitled, in accordance with the procedures specified by the
Law, to lay claim to State financing for the implementation of
continuing vocational education, professional development and
vocationally oriented education programmes.
(7) The decision on the accreditation of vocational education
programmes shall be taken within six months from the day of
submitting the relevant application. The decision on the
accreditation of vocational education programmes the duration of
implementation of which is up to one year shall be taken within
three months.
[5 July 2001; 21 September 2006; 7 June 2007]
Chapter VI
Financing of Vocational Education
Section 31. Financing of Vocational
Education Programmes and Institutions
(1) This Law, the Education Law, other laws and regulations
and the by-laws of the relevant vocational education institution
shall determine the procedures for the financing of vocational
education institutions.
(2) The Ministry of Education and Science and sectoral
ministries can determine the number of places financed by the
State in accredited vocational education programmes of
educational institutions.
(21) A vocational education institution which has
acquired the status of a vocational education competence centre
shall receive State budget funding for performing the functions
of a regional or sectoral methodological centre, a centre for
further education of teachers and assessment of professional
competence acquired outside the formal education system.
(22) An accredited vocationally oriented sports
education institution the learning practice groups of which
conform to certain result criteria in sports, as well as
conditions for the number and age of educatees has the right to
receive State funding for the implementation of vocationally
oriented sports education programmes. The Cabinet shall determine
the result criteria in sports and the conditions in respect of
the number and age of educatees.
(23) Accredited education institutions which
provide education to a certain minimum number of educatees in
vocationally oriented art or music education programmes
implemented in the educational institutions have the right to
receive State funding for the implementation of vocationally
oriented art or music education programmes. The Cabinet shall
determine the minimum number of educatees in vocationally
oriented education programmes in art or music.
(3) The cost of centralised final examinations for
professional qualifications and other costs related to the
granting of a professional qualification shall be covered from
the funds of those institutions in which the educatee completes
the relevant vocational education programme.
(4) The acquisition of a vocational education and professional
qualification in accordance with the procedures specified by the
Cabinet shall be covered from the State budget:
1) for educatees with special needs if they are at a special
education or social and pedagogical correction institution;
2) for convicted persons if they are at a prison.
(5) The founders shall determine the fee for the acquisition
of a vocational education and professional qualification in
private vocational education institutions.
(6) Educatees can be insured against accidents during training
placement. The Cabinet shall determine the professional
qualifications in the acquisition of which educatees must be
insured against accidents during training placement, as well as
the minimum amount of the sum of insurance. The expenses related
to insurance shall be covered by the educational institution in
which the educatee completes the relevant educational
programme.
[5 July 2001; 21 September 2006; 10 June 2010; 16 December
2010; 15 December 2011; 22 December 2016]
Section 32.
[21 September 2006]
Section 33. Material Resources of
the Vocational Education Institutions and Education Support
Institutions
(1) The creation and use of the material resources of
vocational education institutions shall be stipulated by the
Education Law.
(2) If a State vocational education institution is located at
a State immovable property, such property shall be registered in
the Land Register in the name of the State represented by the
ministry to which the relevant educational institution is
subordinated, unless otherwise provided for by the Cabinet.
[21 September 2006]
Transitional Provisions
1. Section 18 of this Law shall come into force on 1 January
2004.
2. Documents certifying an education and professional
qualification after passing of the final examinations shall be
issued in accordance with the procedures which were in force
before coming into force of this Law for educatees who have
commenced the completion of a vocational training or specialised
secondary education programme before the coming into force of
this Law.
3. State vocational basic education, vocational training and
vocational secondary education institutions have the right to
issue documents certifying vocational education and professional
qualification in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 of
this Law and to organise centralised qualification examinations
until their accreditation, but not later than by 1 September
2004.
[5 July 2001]
4. The obligations of the founder of a State vocational
education institution in the cases referred to in Section 15,
Paragraph one; Section 25, Paragraph two and Section 29,
Paragraph four of this Law, shall be fulfilled by the Ministry of
Education and Science or other ministry into the subordination to
which the vocational education institution has been
transferred.
[5 July 2001; 21 September 2006]
5. Non-accredited private vocational education institutions
are entitled to qualify for the State financing provided for in
Section 30, Paragraph six of this Law until their accreditation,
but not later than by 1 January 2003.
[5 July 2001]
6. The rights to issue professional qualification certificates
determined for examination centres in Section 1, Clause
2.1 of this Law shall come into force on 1 January
2007.
[21 September 2006]
7. The Cabinet shall make amendments to the regulations
referred to in Section 7, Clause 5 of this Law by 1 January 2007,
and shall issue the regulations referred to in Section 7, Clauses
9 and 10 by 1 March 2007.
[21 September 2006]
8. The functions of the Vocational Education Administration
shall be performed by the Vocational Education Centre until the
moment when the Cabinet makes the necessary amendments to the
laws and regulations governing the operation of the institution.
These amendments shall be made by 31 December 2006.
[21 September 2006]
9. Section 24 of this Law shall come into force on 1 September
2007. The Cabinet shall approve the draft profession standards
submitted by the Ministry of Education and Science by 31 August
2007.
[21 September 2006]
10. Profession standards determined by the Cabinet by 31
August 2007 shall be in force until 31 December 2011.
[21 September 2006]
11. In accordance with this Law, remuneration specified in
State and local government authorities (salary, bonuses,
gratuities, allowances, etc.) in 2009 shall be determined in
accordance with the Law on Remuneration of Officials and
Employees of State and Local Government Authorities in 2009.
[12 December 2008]
12. Section 29.1, Paragraphs one and two shall come
into force on 1 January 2011.
[10 June 2010]
13. The Cabinet shall issue the regulations provided for in
Section 29.1, Paragraph three of this Law by 31
December 2010.
[10 June 2010]
14. Amendments to Section 31, Paragraph six of this Law
regarding insurance of educatees against accidents during
training placement shall come into force on 1 September 2011.
[10 June 2010]
15. The Cabinet shall issue the regulations provided for in
Section 31, Paragraph six of this Law regarding insurance of
educatees against accidents during training placement by 31
August 2011.
[10 June 2010]
16. The Cabinet shall issue the regulations referred to in
Section 7, Clause 11 of this Law by 28 February 2011.
[16 December 2010]
17. The Cabinet shall issue the regulations referred to in
Section 7, Clause 12 of this Law by 31 May 2011.
[16 December 2010]
18. In 2012, bonuses shall not be paid to teachers of
educational institutions founded by the State and local
governments, but teachers shall be materially incentivized and
allowances shall be disbursed thereto in accordance with the Law
on Remuneration of Officials and Employees of State and Local
Government Authorities.
[15 December 2011]
19. The Cabinet shall by 1 September 2012 ensure the
conformity of the names of Alsviķi Vocational School, Apgulde
Secondary Vocational School, Barkava Secondary Vocational School,
Cīrava Secondary Vocational School, Daugavpils School of
Commerce, Ērgļi Secondary Vocational School, Jaungulbene
Secondary Vocational School, Ranka Secondary Vocational School,
Skrunda Secondary Vocational School, Zaļenieki Secondary
Vocational School, Daugavpils State Technical School, Ogre State
Technical School, Priekuļi and Jāņmuiža State Technical School,
Rīga Technical School of Commerce and Smiltene State Technical
School - Vocational Secondary School with the provisions of
Section 16 of this Law and Section 26 of the Education Law.
[19 April 2012]
20. In 2013, a severance benefit shall be disbursed to
teachers in educational institutions founded by the State and
local governments in accordance with the Law on Remuneration of
Officials and Employees of State and Local Government
Authorities.
[15 November 2012]
21. The Cabinet shall issue the regulations referred to in
Section 7, Clauses 14 and 15 of this Law by 30 November 2015, and
the regulations referred to in Section 7, Clause 2 of this Law -
by 31 December 2015.
[23 April 2015]
22. Until the issuing of the Cabinet regulations regarding
procedures for developing of a profession standard, requirements
for professional qualification (if a profession standard need not
be developed for the profession) and a structure of industry
qualifications provided for in Paragraph 21 of these Transitional
Provisions, but not later than until 31 December 2015, the
Cabinet Regulation No. 149 of 27 February 2007,Procedures for
Development of Profession Standards, shall apply insofar as it is
not in conflict with this Law.
[23 April 2015; 22 June 2017]
23. The Cabinet shall issue the regulations referred to in
Section 15.1, Paragraph 1.1 of this Law
regarding criteria for the acquisition of the status of a
vocational education competence centre in the field of art, music
or dance by 30 June 2015.
[23 April 2015]
24. The new wording of Section 5 of this Law (regarding
conformity of professional qualification levels with the levels
of the Latvian Qualifications Framework) and Section 25,
Paragraph one, Clause 5 (regarding a reference to the level of a
vocational education programme in the Latvian Qualifications
Framework) shall come into force simultaneously with the
amendments made to the Education Law which lay down the
regulation for the Latvian Qualifications Framework.
[23 April 2015]
25. Section 6, Paragraph eight of this Law (regarding
indication of the level of the Latvian Qualifications Framework
in state-recognised documents certifying vocational education and
documents certifying professional qualification) shall come into
force on 1 January 2017.
[23 April 2015]
26. The Cabinet shall issue the regulations referred to in
Section 7, Clause 2.1 of this Law by 31 July 2017.
[22 June 2017]
This Law was adopted by the Saeima on 10 June 1999.
President G. Ulmanis
Rīga, 30 June 1999
1 The Parliament of the Republic of
Latvia
Translation © 2021 Valsts valodas centrs (State
Language Centre)