Study: Vocational Education in Demand but Prestige Lags Behind in Latvia
A new study reveals a gap between the importance of vocational education for Latvia's economy and its social prestige – the public acknowledges its necessity but often views it as a backup option.
While the labor market demands more vocational education graduates, stereotypes still hinder its reputation, according to the latest survey. The study found that 64% of respondents believe Latvia's economy needs more vocational graduates, 60% agree that vocational professions are in demand, and 57% positively assess graduates' job prospects.
Overall, 59% of Latvians have a positive attitude towards secondary vocational education, while only 8% view it negatively. However, only 34% consider its prestige high, whereas 47% rate its quality positively. This indicates that vocational education is seen as good but not prestigious.
The research also reveals stereotypes: a third of respondents think vocational education is for students with weaker grades, and over half see it as a backup rather than first choice. Nevertheless, positive changes are noted – nearly a third consider vocational education better than general secondary, and 38% see them as equal.
Juris Marhilevičs, service manager at "Scania Latvia" in Riga, said the transport sector already faces a shortage of qualified specialists, especially auto mechanics, and demand will continue to grow. He emphasized the need to change public perception, showing vocational education as a modern and promising career path.
Parental influence is significant – almost half would recommend vocational education to their children, but 38% would not. The study concludes that to bridge the gap between economic necessity and low prestige, efforts should focus on improving vocational education's image by highlighting success stories and employer collaborations.
