The analysis of support mechanisms for occupational mobility in the Latvian adult education system
Year: 2023
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: With increasing occupational mobility in the Western societies, where, among other drivers, economic cycles and digital transformation brought changes in labour demand, adults’ access to the education system is becoming increasingly important issue. This refers both for upgrading skills and for retraining with a view to occupational change if the labour market demand for the initial occupation has declined significantly. The aim of this article is to analyse the institutional framework of the Latvian adult education and related institutions to assess what opportunities and what obstacles it creates for individuals to undergo the necessary training to enter a new occupation. Theoretically, the article is based on institutionalism theory, which explains the impact of institutions on the economic behaviour of agents, and middle-range theories on the impact of the structure of the education and labour market institutions on occupational mobility prospects. The analysis is based on a systematic examination of the legal acts and their amendments introduced in Latvia since 2009. The data suggest that Latvian institutional environment is generally favourable for occupational change, but specially targeted public policy support is aimed at the upgrading and retraining of medium- and low-skilled workforce, leaving the occupational transition of high-skilled workforce largely to their own discretion.
Author: Oksana Zabko
Institution: Baltic Studies Centre
Language: English
Topic: Education Systems and Policy
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Funder: Latvijas Universitate
Award: G4687402410
OpenAlex ID: W4391127650