1. 1.3.1.1.1. „Support to training for employed for enhancing competitiveness of enterprises - support to training for employed in partnerships” (3 rd call)

2. Existing support for training  1.3.1.2. „Support for self-employment and business start-ups" Small number of available training modules and therefore not all training needs of entrepreneur are covered (ICT training is not included) Training is basically oriented on early stage entrepreneurs as training modules are related to preparation of business plans and basics about entrepreneurship  1.3.1.1.1. „Support to training for employed for enhancing competitiveness of enterprises - support to training for employed in partnerships” (2 nd call) Entrepreneurs can train their employees in expensive and specific training programes. Eligible to participate in support program are also medium and large sized enterprises, which often use significant part of available public financing in the program Financing is provided to industry associations and it is common that micro and small enterprises are not members of any association, what can delay their participation in programme.  1.3.1.1.4. „Support to training for employed for enhancing competitiveness of enterprises - support to individually organized training by enterprises” Implementation of the program has ended. Public co-financing intensity for small and medium sized enterprises is only 45%. It is not beneficial to train employees within this program in areas which are of horizontaly necessary for all enterprises, for example, training about information and communication technologies

3. Necessary support for training I  Current situation regarding ICT in Latvia: According to data from Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia in 2009 93,1% of enterprises used computers, however with <10 employees (micro) the level was 64%. In 2009 basic level homepage had 42.4% of enterprises, however among micro enterprises this level was only 13%. According to information available on DG Information Society and Media homepage Latvian enterprises are 57% below EU average in use of analytical CRM software  LICTA and LTCA proposals: Offer complex training based on module system and advisory support, what would include appropriate training for micro and small enterprises: what are the possibilities to use information and communication solutions in everyday entrepreneurship, what would help to increase productivity and competitiveness

4. Necessary support for training II  Ministry of Economics proposals: It is fundamental to increase productivity of micro and small enterprises, what can be achieved by fully taking advantage of all possibilities in the area of information and communication technologies. It is necessary to provide training for enterprises after they have received support in activities as „Support for self- employment and business start-ups” and „Business incubators” It is necessary to provide high aid intensity, to ensure that this program is available for potentially large number of enterprises.

5. Financing for training Necessary financing to launch programme Amount of necessary financing - 1 121 374 lats Planned number of trained persons – 135 persons monthly Next steps: Criteria to be approved on 16 th of June in EU funds Monitoring committee Cabinet of Ministers regulations will be approved by the end of 2011. Necessary financing will be allocated from 1.3.1.1.4. „Support to training for employed for enhancing competitiveness of enterprises - support to individually organized training by enterprises”, where are available 15 341 375 lats.

6. General questions  Goal: Increase productivity and work efficiency of micro and small enterprises by improving their employee qualification and skills related to information and communication technologies, what would lead to increased competitiveness of enterprises and general improvements in economy.  Project selection procedure – Closed project selection procedure  Beneficiaries – Association which represents information technology and telecommunication industry entrepreneurs and which has educational institution status  Support to final beneficiaries is given according to De minimis support  Project execution is till 2015  New program supplements „Business incubator”, „Support for self-employment and business start-ups”, „ Support to training for employed for enhancing competitiveness of enterprises - support to training for employed in partnerships” and „ Support to training for employed for enhancing competitiveness of enterprises - support to individually organized training by enterprises”

7. Description of program  Total aid to increase skills and qualifications of micro and small companies to work with information and communication technologies are 1 121 374 lats  Expected average costs for one person involved in the project: 220 lats.  Financing is provided for training and consulting micro and small enterprises about information and communication technologies.  Program beneficiary - The Latvian Information and Communications Technology Association (LICTA). LICTA has the necessary experience as starting from 2005 within initiative Latvija@Pasaule it has provided modular training for around 10 000 enterprises and employees.  Project realization – max., 3.years

8. Program training modules Basics of information and communication technologies for entrepreneurship support Document preparation and organization of record keeping Tables, calculations and graphs Accounting Presentation technologies and methods Internet possibilities for support and development of various entrepreneurship activities Communication with clients and collaboration partners E-commerce and internet marketing Project management basics

9. CRITERIA OF QUALITY ACCEPTANCE  1.1.quality criterion– number of enterprises whose employees will be trained during the project;  1.2.quality criterion– number of persons trained during the project;  2.1.- 2.4.quality criteria – horizontal priority.

10. Thank You for your attention! Brīvības iela 55, Rīga, LV 1519 Tālrunis: 67013101 Fakss: 67280882 E-pasts: pasts@em.gov.lv Mājas lapa: www.em.gov.lv