Training at the workplace with the involvement of industry associations

Recovery Fund Project ‘Upskilling for adults’ No 3.1.2.5.i.0/1/23/I/CFLA/001

Goal of the Programme – to identify, select and organise practical preparation of the unemployed for work at enterprises in line with the sector’s demand for labour and specific features of the sector.

Provision of practical training to the unemployed person through the establishment of a labour relationship with an employer in the sector, consisting of the acquisition of professional skills at the second, third or fourth levels of professional qualifications. Practical training shall not be organised for unskilled and low-skilled jobs.

The Programme shall be implemented in the following sectors and sub-sectors:

• manufacturing sector;
• information and communication services sector (excluding publishing, cinematographic, video, television programmes and sound recording production, radio and television programming and broadcasting);
• transport and storage sector.

Industry associations participating in the Programme shall:

• represent at least 10 enterprises in the sector
• be registered in the Register of Associations and Foundations of the Enterprise Register of the Republic of Latvia for at least five years prior to participation;

How to apply for practical training with the involvement of industry associations?

1. step
   • The industry association completes the application form available on the website and provides the required information
2. step
   • The completed application, signed with a secure electronic signature, is submitted to the SEA by sending it to the official electronic address (e-address) of the SEA.

Applications will be assessed by the SEA Selection panel for the Programme, in accordance with the employer’s selection procedure with industry associations, and applicants will be informed of the decision taken.

If the association’s application is approved, the SEA enters into a cooperation agreement and awards a grant for costs related to the implementation of the Programme: coordination of training, management of training, recruitment of trainers, etc.

The industry association submits a report on unemployed persons who have completed practical training within the framework of the Agreement.

The SEA reimburses the cost of participating in the organisation of the Programme at a rate of EUR 200 per unemployed person who completed training with the employer.

How does cooperation with sectoral employers work?

• After concluding the cooperation agreement with the industry association, the SEA sends the invitation electronically to the employers indicated in the application of the industry association, who will implement practical training within one month from the date of receipt of the invitation to submit an application for the implementation of the Training with the employer Programme in cooperation with the industry association.
• The employer applies for the Programme ‘Training with the employer’. If an unemployed person needs additional theoretical training during practical training, the unemployed person may participate in the modular vocational programmes referred to in Paragraph 21¹ of the Cabinet Regulation No 75, or informal education programmes developed by a company in the sector and recognised by industry associations, in accordance with the professional skills acquired in the practical training;
• The application completed by the employer must be submitted to the SEA by sending it to the official electronic address of the SEA (e-address).
• Applications will be reviewed by the SEA Selection panel for the Programme and applicants will be informed of the decision taken.
• In order to receive SEA support for practical training, the employer must provide a newly created or vacant position. The practical training is not be applicable to unemployed persons who were employed by a given employer for at least 12 months prior to the start of the practical training.
• The employer, upon concluding agreement with the SEA, conducts practical training for 3 months.
• To ensure that the selected candidates meet the needs of the company, the employer participates in the selection of the unemployed person and selects the most suitable candidates.
• Prior to the practical training, the employer concludes an employment contract with the unemployed person.
• The employer must provide the unemployed person with the salary indicated above in the application which together with the grant may not be lower than the national minimum wage.
• The employer must provide the required theoretical and practical training, as well as a qualified supervisor who helps the unemployed person acquire and upgrade professional knowledge, skills and competences.
• The employer may, when concluding contracts, involve other experts and teaching staff in the practical training who have completed their education and have at least two years of practical experience in the profession in which the unemployed person’s practical training is provided.
• The employer shall pay mandatory national social contributions for the wage grant received by the unemployed person participating in the Programme without any defined disability.
• The monthly grant from the SEA towards the unemployed person’s salary is 60% of the national minimum monthly wage. During practical training, the unemployed person may receive up to EUR 50 in compensation for the mandatory health examination.
• The unemployed person may receive financial compensation of up to EUR 200 per month or EUR 10 per day to cover transport costs to support regional mobility.
• The monthly grant of the SEA to the supervisor is EUR 10 per day of practical training. One supervisor may manage up to two unemployed persons.
• Employers who provide practical training for unemployed persons with disabilities shall receive compulsory national social security contributions for the unemployment wage grant.
• The employer also receives a one-off grant for personal protective equipment (up to EUR 100) and a one-off grant for adapting the workplace to unemployed persons with disabilities (up to EUR 1000) in practical training.
• Upon completion of practical training, the unemployed person will be issued with a written certificate of acquired professional skills, competences and knowledge.
• For each unemployed person undergoing training with the employer who has completed the training, the employer shall submit to the NEA information on the learning outcomes.