ICT and Related Industries Digital Skills Training Project
Project No. 2.3.1.2.i.0/2/23/A/CFLA/001
From July 1, Latvia has officially implemented cellular broadcast technology, significantly enhancing and modernizing the national early warning system. This step will enable faster and more targeted communication with the public during crises, such as natural disasters, military threats, or other emergencies.
The system was developed by the Latvian IT company SIA “Meditec,” which won a public tender organized in 2023 by the Information Center of the Ministry of the Interior. The new technology is based on the existing mobile operator infrastructure, where broadcast equipment has been installed to send alerts to all mobile phones in a specific region—regardless of the operator, SIM card, or device age.
Unlike regular text messages or app notifications, cellular broadcast alerts are displayed in a special format, accompanied by a distinctive sound signal, and cannot be modified or forwarded. The system supports various types of notifications, including red, orange, and yellow warnings, as well as messages about missing children, threat cancellations, and drill alerts.
The total project budget is €3.2 million, of which €2.7 million comes from the European Regional Development Fund, and the remaining €500,000 from the state budget. In the near future, the public will receive more information about device compatibility, along with an informational campaign.
Source: db.lv
What distinguishes SIA “KIC” in providing training?
“KIC,” or the Commercial Education Center, is one of Latvia’s leading training companies. The most valued aspect by company leaders collaborating with us for their business development is our extensive roster of trainers. When you entrust your company’s challenges to a training provider, you want to rely on professionals who know what they’re doing—trainers and experts who have implemented improvements in their own companies.
Secondly, having been in the business training and consulting field for 30 years, we know that what truly works is practical application. We conduct audits at production sites, help companies improve processes, and work with managers one-on-one in supervision sessions. We determine the best adult learning method for each company and specific challenge. Therefore, the learning environment is highly flexible and dynamic, and managers who train with us or entrust their teams to us often see improvements in a very short period.
Learning doesn’t always mean implementing large-scale new investments or restructuring the entire organization. Often, a small improvement or a slight change in a manager’s attitude can produce significant results. This is what “KIC” is most proud of.
What competencies are important at the management level in companies?
In interviews and when working with new employees, I often say that almost everything can be learned. The only things that cannot be taught are attitude, willingness, and the ability to learn. Therefore, a key competency for managers is the capacity to learn and adapt. Markets, teams, and competitor landscapes change—but if a manager can adapt, learn quickly, and manage stress, success will follow.
In “KIC” experience, the most successful company leaders are those who learn the most. It’s a myth that only those who lack knowledge need to learn. In fact, those already doing well in business understand that to grow further, continuous learning is essential. Often, company growth is limited not by market potential but by the manager’s mindset—internal barriers, lack of knowledge, skills, or inability to delegate.
Managers need support, whether it’s a consultant, a business coach, or a training group where they meet ten other experienced managers. Leaders require an environment to connect with like-minded peers and strengthen their own capabilities.
What information technologies are being implemented and why is learning them important?
Regarding technology, the IT sector and systems are developing exponentially, faster each year. The pace is so rapid that we cannot always keep up. For instance, in “KIC” AI training, a version of ChatGPT may be used one week, and a new, improved version with entirely new tools becomes available the next week.
Everyone needs to learn these technologies. Failing to do so leads to losing competitiveness. Alternatively, companies must find people who can quickly master and implement these technologies. Many organizations mistakenly assume it’s better to invest less and proceed slowly using internal resources. Yet sometimes one external consultation or digital skills training can save more time and deliver greater value than a year of internal effort.