ICT and Related Sectors Digital Skills Training Project
Project No. 2.3.1.2.i.0/2/23/A/CFLA/001
From 24–28 February this year, Vidzeme Innovation Week took place. Each year, the Vidzeme Planning Region highlights a topic related to innovation development to inspire new ideas in both the public administration and business sectors. This year’s theme was “daring” — the driving force behind innovation and scientific development!
One of the highlighted events during Vidzeme Innovation Week was the “Dare to Change!” event. It focused on inspiration and the courage to take on new challenges and was organized in collaboration with the Vidzeme TechGirls community. During the event, three women who had taken significant steps in their lives by entering the IT field shared their experiences. They spoke about how their interest in ICT developed, the steps they took to retrain from other professions and change careers, and the training they completed. Special emphasis was placed on the learning process, with the participants openly discussing the difficulties and challenges they faced while acquiring new knowledge and skills, as well as the support they received during this time.
This event provided an excellent opportunity for anyone considering entering the IT world, as personal stories, individual strategies, and experiences of daring can help build confidence and inspire action.
Source: innovation.vidzeme.lv
What is your experience and specialization in the field of innovation?
I am the Vice-Rector for Innovation at Riga Technical University. This is not a typical position in academia — I am the first Vice-Rector for Innovation in Latvia’s history. The role allows a degree of freedom of action, as I can influence my own work tasks, but it also carries responsibility, because the chosen approaches must lead to tangible results. At the same time, I am involved in the European Innovation Council, an institution of the European Commission, and I am part of the State Competitiveness Commission established by the Latvian President, which addresses issues of national competitiveness.
Regarding specialization, my innovation path has been practice-based. I hold an MBA (Master in Business Administration) and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management. Currently, I am also pursuing doctoral studies, researching the phenomenon of innovation ecosystems. Innovation is practice — a set of practical actions strengthened by theory.
Why is continuous learning important for employees?
The education system is rapidly changing and adapting to current market conditions. We live in highly dynamic circumstances and must be able to respond quickly to arising situations. This creates challenges for both employees and employers. At the same time, we operate in a highly competitive environment shaped by waves of technological change, which constantly require employees to learn new skills. Continuous learning is also a path for growth. The development of an organization parallels the development of its employees. Our task is to remain competitive by acquiring new skills or improving existing ones.
Which competencies are most important at the management level?
First, communication skills are essential. To manage processes effectively and implement decisions, managers must formulate, justify, and convey them clearly to all involved parties.
Second, people management, with a focus on talent management, is crucial. A manager must be able to recognize each individual’s potential and purposefully develop and guide it.
In my view, taking responsibility and managing risk is also critical. What differentiates leaders from other employees is the ability to make decisions, including unpopular ones, and take responsibility for them.
Which current innovations are being implemented, and why is it important to learn them?
Innovation is an invention that has reached the market or practical application. An invention is something new, and its novelty can be measured by the level of improvement and its impact on the market.
We are currently experiencing a major wave of development, amplified by the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI). We do not yet fully understand its significance, but it is clear that AI directly and indirectly affects many areas. It is a disruptive innovation that changes or creates new systems. This is not just about incremental improvements, like adding functions to a phone, but about fundamental changes — how we organize company processes, daily routines, communication, the labor market, and professions. This is the most urgent wave today, and it cannot be ignored.
In the context of innovation, we refer to the innovation adoption process, which includes early and late users. Early users gain experience first, explore the innovation, and provide feedback on its strengths, weaknesses, and impact. AI is currently actively used by enthusiasts — early adopters who study it in depth. For the rest, using AI is only a matter of time. It is time to start learning, identify niches, and explore tools that facilitate or expand capabilities in your work or daily life.
How do you see the future development of digitalization and innovation?
I would outline several scenarios. An optimistic scenario assumes the state’s ability to make concrete decisions. In digitalization, sporadic approaches must end — including digitalization on the agenda without a clear goal or integration. Tools like the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), which measures each country’s performance in digitalization, can help. While there is a wide range of training opportunities, someone starting with zero digital literacy may not know where to begin. Learning and development offerings should be segmented by target groups — what works for students may not work for seniors. Therefore, a national vision is needed for digitalization, including infrastructure development.
The same applies to innovation — there must be a clear support model for how innovations are developed in Latvia, supporting industry and fostering collaboration between industry and research, where innovation has the highest potential. Long-term planning is also essential because innovation is a marathon, not a sprint.
If we can clearly define our objectives, create a plan, and allocate resources, I believe we can achieve leadership and gain a competitive advantage within 10 years. This is the ideal scenario. We are already working with partners on this, developing the National AI Center and joining the European AI Center network.
There is also a risk scenario — Latvia could become isolated in the AI context. Currently, AI technologies are primarily developed overseas, where there is an aggressive strategy to maintain market control. If we only become users without the ability to influence development, we will be forced to react to global changes rather than shape them. This scenario would also negatively affect innovation. Digitalization is a tool for innovation, with many points of intersection. If we remain passive users in digitalization, we will also miss out on major breakthroughs in innovation!
On 23 January, the OECD Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI) published the report “Trends Shaping Education 2025”, which highlights global trends in education:
“Advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and virtual reality, are already changing how we work, learn, and communicate. While there are many concerns about job displacement, data privacy, equity, and mental health, the goal of these technologies — to promote well-being and transform diverse sectors such as agriculture, transport, healthcare, and culture — drives investment and innovation.”
Source: www.oecd.org
Purposeful Self-Directed Online Learning
Instructor:Vladimirs Kuzmins
Course Content:
LATVIAN COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION
Offers a training project:“ICT and Related Sectors Digital Skills Training Project”Project No. 2.3.1.2.i.0/2/23/A/CFLA/001Project implementation until 30 June 2026Registration for new training sessions in the project is open until 30 April 2026.Please apply by sending an information request to apmacibas@itnet.lv
The project’s investment goal is to provide micro, small, medium, and large companies registered in the Republic of Latvia with basic skills in digitalization, robotics, and automation, digital transformation, and digital innovations — including skills to promote export, high-level digital governance skills at the management level, and skills for using digital technologies in various business processes.
The project is implemented with financial support from the European Union Recovery Fund.The project’s initial total eligible costs are EUR 1,134,000, including planned Recovery Fund support of EUR 567,000.
The views and opinions expressed in this publication are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the European Union or the European Commission.Neither the European Union nor the European Commission is responsible for them.
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