Liepāja and South Kurzeme residents invited to free digital skills programme

Only 48% of Latvia's population aged 16 to 74 has at least basic digital skills, compared with an EU average of 60%, according to the latest Eurostat data. To help close this gap, the association “Riga TechGirls” is inviting residents of the city of Liepāja and the South Kurzeme municipality to sign up for the free educational programme “Iepazīsti tehnoloģijas” (Get to Know Technology).

The programme has been running since 2020 and has already attracted 36,000 participants. This autumn's group starts on September 21 and is open to anyone regardless of age or prior knowledge. Registration is already open and will remain so until September 21. Classes are held in Latvian, combining online sessions with in-person activities.

What participants will learn

The curriculum includes self-paced online learning, lectures by industry experts, practical workshops and in-depth technology sessions. In-person meetings with companies will let participants network with professionals and learn about internship and job opportunities, while the programme's community offers ongoing contact with lecturers and fellow participants.

The programme is supported by Google.org, Tieto Latvia, GoCardless, Swisscom and the Transport and Telecommunication Institute. Participants can explore areas such as UX/UI design and design thinking, data analytics, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, as well as IT product and project management, quality assurance, IT operations, automation and digital marketing.

“Riga TechGirls” project manager Agnese Bļodniece notes that a new skill can bring more than just knowledge — it can spark new confidence or even a new career direction. Tieto representative Elīna Pastare adds that the programme helps people take their first step into the tech industry, noting that many former participants now work in the field.

Registration for the free “Iepazīsti tehnoloģijas” programme is open until September 21.