ICT and Related Sectors’ Employee Skills Development and Productivity Training Project
Project No. 4.2.4.1/1/24/A/001
The rapid development of the company “Swotzy” proves how crucial it is to master and implement modern information technologies in today’s competitive environment. Since its founding in 2022, “Swotzy” has become one of the most prominent examples of innovation in the logistics sector in Latvia and the Baltic region.
“Swotzy” offers a unified, user-friendly platform where businesses can compare the delivery options of different courier services and choose the most advantageous one. Moreover, there is no need to sign individual contracts with each provider – the platform handles this on behalf of the company, saving significant time and resources, especially for small exporting businesses. Currently, the platform’s users send around 30,000 shipments per month to over 120 countries worldwide, with the company’s projected turnover for 2025 expected to reach five million euros.
“Swotzy”’s success would not be possible without the ability to adapt and utilize the latest technological opportunities. This example highlights a broader trend: the implementation of information technology is no longer a choice, but a necessity for any business that wants to compete in today’s market. The introduction of new IT solutions not only improves efficiency but also opens up opportunities to enter new sectors, expand markets, and reach international scale.
The “Swotzy” example shows that with the courage to introduce innovations and a targeted approach, significant results can be achieved even in a highly competitive environment. New-generation digital platforms are the path to more efficient, open, and smarter business practices.
Source: business.gov.lv
What training trends can we expect in the near future?
Since 2023, we have seen artificial intelligence, machine learning, and related technologies make a triumphant entry worldwide. I strongly support the view that we shouldn’t be worried about these technologies replacing people, but rather that those who can use these technologies will replace those who cannot.
And, looking not only from the company perspective but also from the market perspective, if Latvia wants to compete in these new market conditions with these new technologies, we must train people to use them. We will need to train people to analyze the results these technologies provide and also critically assess which technologies we use, under what circumstances, and whether we should use them at all.
How can we help employees balance work duties with training?
We have noticed that it is quite typical in many companies in Latvia to have universal “soldiers” who need to prove themselves across various dimensions. At that point, it becomes very difficult to find time to learn and develop because existing tasks and responsibilities are so overwhelming that training feels like something that requires extra time.
That’s why it’s important to plan training within the current work routine. We do this by creating training plans for a longer period, at least six months. We have individual discussions with each employee about which training they see themselves attending in the upcoming period. Perhaps there are additional trainings that we haven’t considered, but the employee deems important. Then we create the plan and follow up periodically to evaluate progress during individual meetings.
Talking about financial support, it’s very valuable that co-financing is available. We recently learned that for the upcoming six months, funding will be available in the ICT (Information and Communication Technology) sector for both highly technical training and skill development. This co-financing, which can be accessed through the Latvian Computer Technology Association (LDTA) or the Latvian Information and Communication Technology Association (LIKTA), significantly helps support our employees financially in their learning endeavors and also helps cover exam fees. We’ve found that having a test or exam at the end of training is motivating.
As a best practice, we currently provide financial support for exam attempts, even covering multiple attempts if necessary.