Kuldīga business forum discusses workforce, education and cooperation skills

A business forum took place on Friday at the Duna concert hall in Kuldīga, a town in western Latvia. Its main topics were the economy of Kuldīga municipality, labour market needs, the role of education and opportunities for companies to grow. The event brought together entrepreneurs and education representatives to discuss which skills employers need and what the education system can offer.

Data and future scenarios

The first part of the forum focused on data and future scenarios. Inna Šteinbuka, professor and director of the Productivity Research Institute at the University of Latvia, presented the strategic framework "Latvia-2050". Raimonds Lapiņš, head of the Central Statistical Bureau, reviewed economic data for Kuldīga municipality. The presentations helped participants assess the current situation and consider directions for development.

The focus then shifted to the workforce and education. Dainis Gašpuitis, an economist at the bank SEB, spoke about global and Latvian economic trends, while business anthropologist Elīna Ozoliņa addressed adult education, skills, labour market needs and the local context.

Discussion on employers' needs and what education offers

The discussion "What does an entrepreneur need and what does education offer" featured Katrīna Spuleniece-Aišpure, director of the Kuldīga Technology and Tourism Technical School; Jānis Osis, development director at the company Stiga RM; Inese Astaševska, chair of the municipal council; Ieva Suškeviča of the Ministry of Education and Science; and Ozoliņa.

Participants underlined the importance of general social skills: the ability to cooperate, communicate and adapt to situations. These skills are needed across professions and, unlike specific job skills, develop as part of personal growth, so family and the wider environment have a strong influence.

On the prestige of vocational education, the experts urged people to remember more often that it need not be the end of the educational path. It can serve as a foundation for further study at university. The conversation also touched on parents' responsibility to help children develop their interests and find their own way without overloading them. Based on their own experience, participants said the pace of school learning is fast and not everyone keeps up. Some pupils give up on studying, while others devote themselves so diligently that they have no time to consider what might interest them outside school.

Entrepreneurs' experience

The afternoon was devoted to business experience. Andis Blinds, creator of the sports protective gear brands Blindsave and Gamepatch, spoke about how a small company can reach international markets. Andis Araks, chairman of the board of the logging company Krauzers, shared his experience of finding workers.