Course code Peda6046

Credit points 3

Employment and Job Searching I

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures16

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes16

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation16.11.2021

Responsible UnitInstitute of Mechanics and Design

Course developer

author lect.

Jānis Pāvulēns

Mg. ed.

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to deepen students understanding of the legal regulation of employment and labour market, the structure of the labour market, basic principles of work relations and the realization of business activities. Within the framework of the course theoretical and practical aspects of career guidance within the job market, the legal basis of employment, the tax system in work relations and in entrepreneurial activities are discussed and skills necessary for career guidance to support people in employment are developed.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge: able to explain employment-related terminology, to describe organizational forms of economic activities. Seminars and practical work.
Skills: able to evaluate the legal basis of employment, to prepare contracts, to draw on classifications of skills/competencies, qualifications, occupations, and economic activities in career guidance; able to describe and analyse development tendencies of regional or national labour market and economy. Independent homework, research work, seminars.
Competence: able to provide career guidance for clients starting business activities or self-employment, to give career support for people in employment (employers, employees, entrepreneur. Independent homework, seminars.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Labour market policy guidelines and economic development trends in Latvia and EU. 2h.
2. Economic activity of the population, employment status. Classification of economic activity. 2h.
3. Types of employment. Employment changes. Registered and unregistered employment. 2h.
4. Employment security in a rapidly changing economy. Employment and employability. 2h.
5. Industry market trends in the country. Research work presentation. 2h.
6. Paid work as a form of employment; advantages and disadvantages. 2h.
7. The legal basis of employment. The psychological contract in employment. 2h.
8. Establishing and terminating employment. Employment contracts. 2h.
9. Classification of professions. Using profession classification in establishing employment. 2h.
10. Recognition of professional qualifications. Work relations with Latvian, EU and Third-World Country residents. 2h.
11. Employee and employer legal rights and pay. 2h.
12. Entrepreneurship and business. Importance of career development support in advancing. 2h.
13. Legal forms of employment and necessary career development support. 2h.
14. Employment related taxes. 2h.
15. Employment-related documentation; work contract, invoices, author contracts etc. 2h.
16. The capability of a career consultant in providing support for employees and employers. 2h.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Pass exam within the 10-point grading scale.
Final grade consists of 20% from the attendance of lectures (minimum 75% of lectures and seminars attended), 20% from the research work, 60% from independent coursework.
All work has to be submitted and reached a pass mark.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1. Submitted and presented research work “Employment trends in Latvia”.
2. Submitted and presented review of the recognition of professional qualifications in labour relations with Latvian, EU and third world country residents.
3. Submitted and presented review - presentation
about employment organizational legal forms and necessary career development support.

4. Submitted argumentative essay “The competency of a career consultant in providing support to employers and employees”.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The coursework will assess the ability to select information on employment and employment market regulation, labour market structure, work relations, and entrepreneurship.
Having the ability to analyse and evaluate, draw conclusions and justify them.
The seminars will assess the content of the material presented and the ability to discuss and argue its point of view.
Exam will be graded within the 10-point grading scale.
Final grade consists of 20% from the attendance of lectures (minimum 75% of lectures and seminars attended), 20% from the research work, 60% from independent coursework.

Compulsory reading

1. Personāla atlases vadlīnijas. Rīga: Valsts kanceleja, 2020.35 lpp.
2. Leibus I. Pašnodarbināto grāmatvedība un nodokļi.
Rīga: Lietišķās informācijas dienests, 2018. 147 lpp.
3. Boitmane I. Personāla atlase un novērtēšana. Rīga: SIA “Lietišķās informācijas dienests”, 2008. 186 lpp.
4. Vorončuka I. Personāla vadība. Rīga: Latvijas Universitāte, 2009. 399 lpp.
5. Dombrovska L.R. Cilvēkresursu kapitāla vadība: teorija un prakse. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2009. 212 lpp.
6. Greenhaus J., Callanan G. Encyclopedia of Career Development. Vol.1.,2. Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publications, 2006. 949 p.

Further reading

1. Darba likums ar komentāriem. Latvijas Brīvo arodbiedrību savienība, Rīga: LBAS, 2020. 438 lpp. Pieejams: https://www.bdolaw.lv/getattachment/Aktualitates/Darba-likuma-komentari/Darba-likuma-komentari_2020.pdf.aspx?lang=lv-LV
2. Forands I. Palīgs personāla speciālistam. Rīga: Latvijas izglītības fonds, 2007. 251 lpp.
3. Zīlīte L. Personāla vadība un socionika. Rīga: Turība Biznesa Augstskola SIA, 2013. 304 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Akadēmiskās informācijas centrs. Pieejams: http://www.aic.lv/portal/sakums
2. Profesiju klasifikators. Pieejams: https://www.lm.gov.lv/lv/klasifikacija/profesiju-klasifikators-0
3. LV portāls. Cilvēks. Valts. Likums. Pieejams: https://lvportals.lv/
4. International Labour Organization. Starptautiskā darba organizācija (ILO). Pieejams: http://www.ilo.org
5. Latvijas Republikas tiesību akti. Pieejams: http://www.likumi.lv
6. LR Centrālā statistikas pārvalde. Pieejams: http:// www.csb.gov.lv