DAIF Latvia to establish skills fund for security and defense sector
Latvia's security and defense industry federation, together with partners, will implement a project to create a Skills Fund and forecast workforce needs in the sector.
The security and defense industry is changing faster than ever, with new technologies, artificial intelligence, cyber threats and stricter state requirements reshaping the labor market. To help Latvian companies remain competitive internationally and maintain national defense capabilities, DAIF Latvia has launched a project aimed at building a long-term support mechanism for developing the sector's workforce skills.
The project will establish the Latvian Security and Defense Industries Skills Fund, as well as a Skills Barometer — a tool for forecasting skills needs. It also includes research on future competencies, development of training and retraining programs, and closer cooperation between companies, educational institutions, government bodies and social partners. A key benefit will be a unified system for regularly identifying skill gaps and adjusting training offers to meet labor market and security demands.
Elīna Egle, chair of the DAIF Latvia board, said that national security today depends not only on modern technologies and defense investments, but also on people's knowledge, skills and adaptability. In her view, the unpredictable geopolitical situation calls for timely action, and the skills fund represents a long-term investment in Latvia's resilience.
The project will involve security and defense companies, their employees, potential specialists, educational institutions, employer and employee organizations, and state administration bodies. The expected results include an approved model for the skills fund, the necessary institutional and legal framework, and training opportunities for current and future professionals.
The project is implemented by DAIF Latvia together with the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia and the Ministries of Defense, Interior and Economics. Total eligible costs amount to 2,022,009 euros, funded by the European Social Fund Plus, the state budget and private co-financing. The project runs until 30 November 2029.
