PROFESIONĀLĀS IZGLĪTĪBAS KOMPETENCES CENTRS "RĪGAS VALSTS TEHNIKUMS"

Vocational Education Competence Centre "Riga State Technical School" (RSTS) with more than 2500 students and 400 staff is the largest vocational secondary education institution in Latvia. RSTS provides long-term educational policy in the state according with National Vocational Education Standards, Occupational Standards and requirements in labor market. It is a public and non-profit body. The task of RSTS is to prepare the students for work in a specialized professions and to promote knowledge, skills and attitude that correspond to vocational qualifications and support competitiveness in the changing working environment. RSTS provides vocational secondary education and training programs. It provides knowledge and skills required for Level 4 vocational qualification. There are 9 departments in RSTS: Auto, Computer, Business, Chemistry technology, Energetics, Mechanical engineering, Printing, Woodworking and Railway. RSTS has also 3 subsidiary units in other cities of Lavia: Balvi, Kraslava and Limbazi. Additionally RSTS performs such functions as a regional or branch methodical centre, teacher further education centre and evaluation of professional competence acquired outside the formal education. RSTS is the most versatile vocational education competence centre in Latvia. At the moment 52 accredited vocational education programmes are being implemented in RSTS. The study process is organized in the way that the acquisition of theory interchangeability with practical training in school workshops, laboratories, and on-the job courses later in enterprises and organizations.

RSTS has implemented work based learning since 2013. There were 202 students involved in the work based learning in 2018/2019. RSTS has signed contracts with more than 162 employers and employers’ organizations to improve exchange between businesses and RSTS and to give students more insight into various occupations.