You can acquire these professions in just a year, and there are impressive temptations for employers to graduate

What specialties are in most demand?

Cvonline public relations specialist Rita Karavaitienė explains that, considering Lithuania’s main economic activities, the demand for professionally educated employees will remain high in the fields of industry / production, transport, trade and construction.

“It would be really difficult to select one of the most demanded specialties and it is not even necessary to do so, because the demand for specialties in the market is much higher. As Lithuania has managed to attract several foreign capital companies, which have created a number of jobs, mainly in the industrial segment, there is a great need for employees from various industries (electronics, automation, metal processing, furniture, plastic, paper, etc.): qualified machine operators “., – she comments.

The volume of requests intensifies every year.

Dovilė Cicėnaitė-Kaveckienė, spokesperson for the Lithuanian Association of Higher Education Institutions for the General Admission Organization (LAMA BPO), explains that halfway through admission to vocational education institutions, it is notable that applicants choose the Modular studies that were in the top ten last year.

“Among the most popular: auto mechanic, terminator, paramedic, motorized motor vehicle driver for cargo transportation, masseuse, hairdresser, chef, social worker assistant, nursing assistant.

It is too early to compare and talk about the changes, because both the numbers and the popularity of the programs can change only half of the receptions. Currently, 17.4 thousand people have already registered applications to study at higher education institutions. entrants, vocational training institutions – 11.3 thousand. The volume of requests intensifies on a daily basis, so it is expected that the final number of requests will be at least in a normal year ”, he explains.

The specialty can be acquired in a relatively short time.

Palmira Raginienė, Deputy Director of Education of the Alytus Vocational Training Center, assures that among the students of the professional schools are the most demanded training programs in the fields of the engineering industry, services for people and transport services. According to her, the least popular agricultural programs.

“Information technology and engineering majors hold the most promise: more will be needed in the future. The increase in the number of students is due to the fact that basic and secondary education and specialization can be acquired in no time relatively short.

For those with a basic education, education lasts for 2-3 years: in the gym department, they can complete grades 11-12, pass maturity exams, and earn a maturity certificate. Professions are also studied at the same time, and after passing the qualifying exam in the third year, a diploma is obtained. Thus, secondary education and a specialty are acquired in less than three years. Graduates 19-20 years old can now successfully compete in the job market and / or continue their studies in higher education. For students who have graduated from gyms in grade 12, education can last 2, 1.5 or 1 year, depending on the chosen specialty, “says the specialist.

Much attention in practical activities

According to P. Raginienė, for a student to be adequately prepared to perform specific tasks, have strong practical skills and be able to compete in the ever-changing job market, in the teaching process, 70 percent of the hours of the vocational training program they are engaged in practical classes. It ensures that the students of the final courses do the internship in a real workplace: in the best companies, institutions and organizations in the region, they have the opportunity to do a month of internship abroad. According to the specialist, the salaries of qualified specialists should also be competitive in the future.

“Students study in modern training classrooms, laboratories and practical workshops. The learning environment is adapted for people with special needs and mobility disabilities. The Center has hands-on training centers for the engineering and safety and construction industry at work, equipped with modern equipment. Not only the students of the Center, but also the students of other vocational schools of the Republic study in them, the qualification of the employees of the companies raises the qualification.

To guarantee a high quality of education, the analysis of the situation in the labor market and the regional development strategy are carried out, modular vocational training programs are implemented, human resources are developed, new infrastructures are created and an attractive educational environment. Some students in the last year work according to the specialty. Apprenticeship contracts are concluded with such students and employers. Students learn and work, ”she says.

The tailor profession is reborn

Sigita Ribokaitė, director of the sector of the King Mindaugas Vocational Training Center, ensures that the ten most popular professions do not change significantly every year. According to her, the professions of paramedic, beautician, masseuse, hairdresser, social worker, makeup artist, animal caregiver, nursing assistant, florist, ornamental plantation and landscaping are still the most demanded among the participants.

“Every year we update the resume basket, therefore this year we have new resumes: preschool pedagogue assistant, babysitter, makeup artist. We have a clear identity and represent the field of personal services. As for less popular professions, you should mention its specificity and stereotypes that have developed since the past. For example, the profession of shoemaker is very interesting and relevant. This profession is hampered by subconscious images of the poor work of shoemakers. It is gratifying that the profession tailor, once considered unpopular, be reborn. People choose it because they want to create clothes, sew individually, create a business, “explains the specialist.

Internships abroad

According to S. Ribokaitė, the programs offered are divided into the three most important directions: beauty, health and social welfare, business. According to her, a new makeup artist training program has been offered since last year, and a new makeup artist training program will be launched this year.

“In recent years, we have been paying close attention to the field of health and social welfare: training programs for paramedics, massage therapists, nursing assistants and social worker assistants. Society is aging, not only Lithuania, all of Europe faces this challenge, so the further away health and social welfare professionals are, the more work they will have to do. We feel this especially when preparing internships for students abroad: the demand for specialists is already huge and growing.

Also this year, we have two new curricula in the field of health and social welfare: a preschool assistant teacher and a babysitter. Many of our graduates sooner or later go into business, so at the Center our goal is to provide them with all the knowledge they need to start a successful business, ”she says.

Animal care specialists are trained

According to the interlocutor, the world is changing, so the relevance of training programs is especially important for the professional training center that prepares specialist-professionals. According to her, according to the latest trends, specialists in animal care are being trained.

“It is estimated that there are currently 102 million people living in their homes in Europe. Cats and 85 million dogs. In Germany alone, 9.2 million are cultivated. Dogs, in Sweden their number has increased 20% in 7 years. Pet owners are increasingly paying attention and funding for pet care, so it is no wonder that the demand for animal care services is expanding. Today, dog grooming is just more expensive than a human haircut, and those sought after at our Center often acquire additional qualifications: an animal care specialist, ”he emphasizes.

Vocational schools are a faster path to independence.

S. Ribokaitė claims that the increase in the number of students in vocational schools is influenced by the fact that vocational schools provide people with a faster path to independence. She explains that the duration of the training programs varies from 20 weeks to 1 year and 4 months for those with secondary education and from 20 weeks to 3 years for those with basic education (obtaining only a qualification or a qualification with secondary education).

“The King Mindaugas Vocational Training Center’s curricula are primarily practice-oriented, so our goal is to provide people who study with us from the first steps with everything they need to learn and continually improve. We also have our own practical training bases, where students carry out practical tasks and learn in real working conditions: they meet clients themselves, listen to their expectations and perform / provide the desired service.

Another important task for us as a vocational training center is to bring together students and potential employers. Therefore, we gather a wide network of partners where our students do internships, we expand cooperation with partners abroad, where the people who study with us can do internships. We accompany our students throughout the professional training phase and we try to do the same after graduation, ”says the interviewee.

Wages are only increasing

According to her, the salaries of graduates of vocational schools increase over the years, which is influenced by the general situation within the state, as well as by changing attitudes towards many representatives of the profession in various fields.

“Many future hairdressers, beauticians, masseurs, tailors and florists who study at the vocational training center start individual activities and work for themselves. Graduates of our health professions are successful professionals, without whom it is difficult to imagine the country’s medical institutions, rehabilitation, SPA, health and beauty centers. We have a clear identity, we strive to maintain a leadership position in Lithuania by training specialists in the fields of health and social welfare, beauty and business, “he says.