Background
In 2018, the Immigration Law was amended to ease the entry conditions for highly skilled workers and workers in professions with significant labour shortages. The simplification of immigration procedures has not provided sufficient assistance for employers, and Latvia still has a shortage of highly skilled workers.
During discussions between the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) and representatives of Smart Specialisation sectors, insufficient public sector activity in attracting highly skilled labour was identified as a factor hindering several sectors' growth. The project aimed to develop the most effective support instruments for attracting highly skilled workers. The best foreign practices in attracting highly skilled workers were analysed to create tailored recommendations for Latvia.
Main project activities
- Determining the benefits for the state and municipal government of attracting one highly skilled worker.
- Analysing foreign practices in attracting highly skilled workers in 5 cities comparable to Riga
- The best practice analysis included national and city-level public and non-governmental sector initiatives, their partners, clients and costs. A comparative analysis of labour attraction initiatives was carried out and an assessment of effectiveness was provided.
- Developing recommendations of the most appropriate labour attraction initiatives for Latvia and Riga.
- The recommendations included recommendations for the most suitable initiatives, identification of target countries for attracting highly skilled labour and suggestions for changes in the regulatory framework to encourage highly skilled labour migration.
Results
As a result of the project, tailored recommendations were made for talent attraction initiatives at a national and municipal level. 5 countries were identified where it would be most beneficial for the Latvian Investment and Development Agency and its partners to focus their talent attraction activities in the next 3-5 years.
Contact us
