500 Unemployed to Undergo „School of Opportunity” Training this Year

The unemployment rate in Latvia is still experiencing an increase and due to this the Nordea training program for unemployed „School of Opportunity” is expanding its activities in 2010. By considering the popularity of the program, free of charge training and workshops will be organized every Monday till June and the attendance of the entire training program of the first half of the year – i.e. 8 different workshops – grants the unemployed knowledge for the total amount exceeding 1000 lats. 

From 18 January unemployed persons, Nordea customers are invited to apply for the repeated call for „School of Opportunity” scholarships. The scope of the scholarship program is to involve unemployed in organization of activities under the „School of Opportunity” and reading of lectures, by receiving monthly Nordea scholarships instead.

„The training launched within the framework of the „School of Opportunities” last September proved that such opportunities are both necessary and topical for the unemployed. All 200 gratuitous places to more than 10 workshops were occupied, and the average evaluation of the training and workshops given by the participants was 9 points out of 10 possible. Therefore this year I would advise the participants of the „School of Opportunity” program to apply for the training on the Nordea webpage in timely manner, encourages Nordea Personnel Manager Viktorija Veisa.

Gratuitous training for the total amount exceeding 1000 lats

“The training offered by professional training and recruitment consultation service companies usually costs from 100 – 300 lats per person. Thanks to the support of the leading professional training companies of Latvia and volunteers, the participants of the „School of Opportunity”  hearing the entire course of lectures offered, have the opportunity to save more than 1000 lats” indicates V. Veisa.

We anticipate that up to 500 unemployed will be able to attend gratuitous training in the first half of 2010. The topics have been chosen by pursuing the aim to increase the competitiveness of people having lost job and the opportunities to return to the labor market, increase motivation and initiative and encourage starting one’s own business. Alongside with „Trivums Apmācība” and „CV-Online Latvia” this year training to the unemployed will be also provided by the leading specialists of „Fontes Vadības konsultācijas”, „Demarsch” the Chairman of the Board of the SSE Riga Mentor Club Juris Grisins and the first scholars of the „School of Opportunity” Vita Brakovska and Andris Alksnis.

Any unemployed and Nordea client can apply for the training by filling out the form of application available on the Nordea webpage. The training will take place at Nordea House, address K. Valdemāra 62.

The Scholarship – a possibility to supplement the monthly income

„We repeatedly invite unemployed persons to apply for „School of Opportunities” scholarships in the time period from 18 – 31 January. It is a great opportunity for unemployed not entitled to any unemployment allowances any more to increase the monthly income by simultaneously polishing one’s professional knowledge and skills. Moreover, the scholarship definitely will be a means to raise self-confidence and, who knows, might also become an important turning point for getting a job in the future” stresses V. Veisa.

We expect applications from professionals of various fields being currently jobless, ready to share their knowledge by training other participants of the „School of Opportunity” program before taking up a new job. However, we especially encourage to apply professionals, whose knowledge could be of use for other participants of the program for launching entrepreneurial activity. 

Applications for the „School of Opportunity” scholarships can be filled out on the Nordea webpage at: www.nordea.lv.

About the „School of Opportunity”

The training program for unemployed „School of Opportunity” consists of three parts. First of all, it s monthly training conducted by specialists on issues topical for unemployed – personal financial management, tips for improvement of one’s CV and cover letter and also workshops for development of creative thinking. Secondly, the „School of Opportunity” is a possibility to socialize – the participants meet, make acquaintances, discuss their success and failures in job search likewise also ideas for starting entrepreneurial activity and thirdly, a scholarship foundation has been established within the framework of the program. The participants of the program are eligible for the scholarship in exchange for one’s own contribution to the program – conducting training or assisting in organization of activities under the “School of Opportunity”. 

The training program for unemployed „the School of Opportunity” is provided by Nordea in cooperation with the leading professional training and recruitment consultation services in Latvia „Triviums Apmācība”, „CV-Online Latvia”, „Fontes Vadības konsultācijas” and „Demarsch”. Training courses are conducted by the chairman of the board of the SSE Riga Mentor Club Juris Grisins and Nordea employees – Financial Planning Expert - Zigmars Valtmanis and Head of Small Enterprises Support Department Kristine Lomanovska.