Around 20 000 pupils have applied for jobs in total and it will not be possible to provide them all, but there are places that are still very much in demand. As explained by the NVA, this year around 800 companies are offering jobs to students, but almost half or 40% of the jobs are in the Rīga and Pierīga region.
There is already a job rush at the Jaunpils dairy in Jaunpils municipality. This summer, 12 pupils will have the opportunity to work here. The pupils themselves said that it gives them the opportunity to gain work experience and earn money for spending.
Pupil Ēriks Muško: "I applied for a job at the dairy because it seemed like a very good idea for the work experience and also for the money. Every student wants to buy something they want in the summer."
Student Marija Arika: "I applied to work in a dairy because I wanted to try something new. I haven't done this kind of work in previous summers."
At Jaunpils Dairy, students are paid the minimum wage of €700 before tax. You have to work for one month.
Interest in summer jobs among schoolchildren is consistently high, said Vineta Leončička, Deputy Director of the Employment Activities Department of the State Employment Agency. Businesses are also increasingly active in offering jobs.
"Year after year, of course, jobs are more available where there is more economic activity. I have to say that the biggest [activity] is, of course, in Riga and the Pierīga Region. I would like to say that in general about 40% of jobs in Latvia are in Rīga."
To apply for a summer job through the NVA, a student must be aged 15 to 20 years inclusive and studying in a general, special, or vocational education institution. Students aged 15 and over can work for 7 hours a day and the employer must provide the student with the national minimum wage.
The most popular occupations offered by employers are auxiliary worker, retail sales assistant, shop assistant, shop assistant, teacher assistant and waiter, Leončika said.
Entrepreneurs encourage students to apply for jobs early, as in many sectors work is planned far in advance and workers are in high demand.
Students still have until mid-August to apply for a job.
