Within the Framework of InVent Project the EKA Participates in Competency Standards Development for Event Managers

Since November 2017, the University of Economics and Culture (EKA) participates in Erasmus+ strategic partnerships program’s project “InVent - Partnership to develop VET educators in event management with learner-centred approach”.

Under the project Kaspars Šteinbergs and Kristīne Freiberga, the EKA academic staff, were involved in the project first activity IO1 Standard of competencies for event manager and developing skill scan tool. They interviewed event industry professionals and faculty to ascertain the situation of the sector in Latvia, the existing training supply and labour market needs.  Interviews were conducted with the following industry professionals: Ilze Eriņa (Gee), Valdis Pavlovskis, Juris Millers, Agnese Hermane, and Monta Brūvere. The interview showed different situation in event organization in private and public sector and identified  skills that will be required in the future to work in this industry. The most significant ones will be related to use of technology, audience reach and marketing.

In addition, event management study programs of various levels were analysed and existing standards of the profession were evaluated, by identifying the knowledge, skills and competencies acquired in educational institutions in Latvia. The results of this analysis will be presented at project partner meeting in Malaga, as well as at the International Scientific Conference "Emerging trends in Economics, Culture and Humanities — etECH2018", which takes place on April 26-27, 2018, in the University of Economics and Culture.

InVent project is funded and supported by the European Commission within the Erasmus+ KA2 Strategic Partnership Programme (Grant Agreement No. 2017-1-UK01-KA202-036615).