Adult learning participation remains a challenge in Latvia - EC report

RIGA - In Latvia, adult learning participation still remains a challenge and falls short of the 2030 target, according to the the European Commission's (EC) annual Education and Training Monitor 2023.

From 2016 to 2022, the proportion of adults aged 25-64 participating in learning (in the last 12 weeks) decreased by 4.9 percentage points.

In 2022, the participation rate was 34.1 percent, which is 5 percentage points below the EU average and 25.9 percentage points short of the 2030 target. The rate fell for both men and women from 2016, though the rate is much higher for women (41.3 percent against 26.5 percent).

According to the EC report, Latvia has taken steps to improve the adult learning system, but challenges persist. To improve overall adult education quality, Latvia has focused on improving and recognizing non-formal education. Since 2022, non-formal programs must fulfil certain criteria in terms of learning outcomes, content and language.

A certificate is now issued to participants upon completion. In 2023, a common framework was created for assessing digital skills also in non-formal programs with the adoption of a new permitting regulation.

Despite this, a State Audit Report in 2023 found that Latvia's current state co-financed adult education system needs to increase the participation rate of low-skilled adults; focus on meeting labor market needs; and improve its forecasting and governance models.

The EC report underlines that the low level of digital literacy in adults is particularly concerning. only 51percent of the adult population (aged 16 to 74) have basic digital skills, far below the Digital Europe goal of at least 80 percent by 2030.

Young people, on the other hand, have high levels of digital literacy, with 81 percent of 16-19-year-olds having at least basic digital skills (EU average of 69 percent).

The report highlights EU support for upskilling in Latvia. Over 66,500 adults successfully completed European Social Fund (ESF) support programs to improve their professional competence between 2016 and 2023.

Latvia will continue to invest in adult education over the 2021-2027 period, with EUR 61.4 million from the ESF+. As part of Latvia's plan funded by the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility, Latvia will develop a sustainable adult learning framework and pilot the concept of individual learning accounts and three sectoral skills funds, the EC report says.