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A second chance after the school year begins
Latvia’s vocational-education system is keeping an additional admissions window open for students who have not yet chosen their next step. On 19 September, Latvian Public Media reported that places were still available in a number of technical schools and vocational secondary schools, with applications continuing until 30 September. The development offers a practical alternative for young people who started the academic year elsewhere, changed their plans or have not enrolled at all.
The State Education Development Agency, known by its Latvian acronym VIAA, says additional recruitment is taking place in institutions both in Riga and in the regions. The offer is aimed mainly at students finishing either ninth or twelfth grade, but the available routes differ depending on the programme. After ninth grade, students can enter four-year courses that combine a professional qualification with secondary education. Some programmes accepting students after twelfth grade can be completed in one to one and a half years.
For families, the message is significant because the traditional September deadline does not necessarily close the door to further study. The remaining places are limited and can change quickly, so applicants are being encouraged to contact schools directly rather than rely only on general listings. ([lsm.lv](https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/19.09.2026-vel-var-pagut-iestaties-kada-no-tehnikumiem.a663883/?utm_source=openai))
Skills linked to everyday economic life
The list of possible subjects reflects a broad interpretation of vocational education. VIAA names cook, assistant cook, electrical technician, welder, finishing-work technician, crop-production technician, heavy-vehicle mechanic, programming technician, make-up artist, clothing and styling specialist, road-construction machinery operator, car mechanic and mechatronics technician among the available options.
In some schools, the vacancies also point to changing patterns of local demand. Jēkabpils Technology Technical School told Latvian Public Media that places remained available in areas including programming, cybersecurity, accounting and other subjects. At Jelgava Technical School, applicants could still enquire about surveying technology, furniture making, computer systems and programming. Riga Tourism and Creative Industries Technical School listed commercial work, restaurant cooking and hospitality services among its remaining options.
The situation is not uniform. Some popular courses filled quickly, while others struggled to form a full group, particularly in smaller towns. The Jēkabpils school said that construction and landscape-technology groups in its Barkava branch had not attracted enough students to open in the first year, despite employers’ need for related skills. That contrast underlines the challenge facing vocational education: demand from the economy does not always translate into immediate demand from school-leavers.
More students, but not every place filled
Education Ministry data cited by Latvian Public Media indicate that the number of students in Latvia’s technical schools and vocational secondary schools has increased by almost 4% since 2020. The longer-term direction is therefore positive, even though institutions have not filled all of their planned places for the 2026/2027 academic year.
The additional admissions round also reflects the fluidity of September. School representatives told Latvian Public Media that some young people change programmes after discovering that their first choice is not suitable, while others move from vocational education to general secondary school or make the opposite decision. That movement is part of the adjustment period rather than necessarily a sign of failure.
Schools are preparing support for those joining after lessons have begun. Riga Tourism and Creative Industries Technical School said it has an internal system to help late entrants adapt and catch up with missed material. Jēkabpils Technology Technical School also said that additional consultations would be available. The support matters because a delayed start can otherwise become a barrier even when a student has found a suitable course.
Support for students from outside the main cities
According to VIAA, students admitted to state-funded places may receive a monthly scholarship of up to €150, depending on academic performance and other criteria. Schools can also offer dormitory accommodation when students travel from another town or municipality. Those provisions make the remaining places more accessible to families who would otherwise face the additional cost of relocation or daily travel.
The participating institutions extend well beyond the capital. The current list includes schools in Jēkabpils, Jelgava, Kandava, Daugavpils and Višķi, Liepāja, Ogre, Rēzekne, Smiltene, Ventspils, Priekuļi, Cēsis and other locations. That geographic spread gives the admissions round a national character, while also showing how vocational education can connect regional communities with technical, service and agricultural skills.
Applicants and parents should check each school’s current vacancies and admission requirements directly. Some programmes accept applications until 30 September, while others continue until places are filled. The immediate opportunity is practical rather than symbolic: students who are still undecided have several more days to enter a structured course, gain a recognised qualification and begin the school year with a route that can lead onward to employment or further study.
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