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)