Vocational education has become a conscious choice for many young people in Latvia, offering an opportunity to obtain both secondary education and a profession at the same time. In the 2025/2026 academic year, 10,300 students enrolled in vocational education programmes, with service-related programmes being the second most popular choice. One of these students is Aleksandrs Lisovskis – a young man from Jūrmala who is studying to become a chef at the Riga Technical School of Tourism and Creative Industries, living in a student dormitory and actively participating in school life.
Aleksandrs’ vocational education journey initially took him in a different direction. After graduating from primary school, he enrolled at Riga State Technical School to study computer systems technology. However, by the end of his first academic year, he realised that working as a technician was not the right path for him – he wanted something more creative and flexible. Aleksandrs left Riga State Technical School and worked for a period of time. At the beginning of the following academic year, he enrolled at the Riga Technical School of Tourism and Creative Industries to pursue a qualification as a chef.
Aleksandrs explains:
"My daily life now revolves around the Riga Technical School of Tourism and Creative Industries. I am currently in my third year studying to become a chef. I chose this school because several of my friends were already studying here. I thought it would be easier and more interesting together. Cooking has fascinated me for a long time, which is why I decided to pursue this profession. As long as I can remember, I have enjoyed watching cooking videos – even if they featured the simplest dishes."
Aleksandrs chose the technical school not only because of his interest in cooking, but also because it allows students to obtain both a secondary education and a professional qualification. Over four years, he will earn a secondary school diploma and two professional qualifications – Chef and Restaurant Chef. This will provide him with broad opportunities both in the labour market and for further professional development. Alongside his studies, Aleksandrs has already gained significant practical experience. He has worked in a waffle bakery, a sushi bar and several restaurants.
Aleksandrs recalls:
"I enjoyed working at the restaurant ‘Vasarnīca Gastrobārs’ the most. The team was excellent, and I learned a great deal there – how to work as part of a team, how to listen to and follow a head chef’s instructions, how to use different kitchen equipment and how to plate dishes. I prepared salads, grilled meat, steaks and burgers, and I also learned how to cook mussels. It was there that I really learned how to prepare meat and steaks – steak is now my favourite dish. Working in a professional kitchen showed me that being a chef is not just about cooking. It is about discipline, speed and the ability to work as a team under pressure."
Aleksandrs also had the opportunity to participate in a five-month Erasmus+ mobility project in Belgium. During the first month, he travelled and explored different cities. For the following four months, he studied and worked at the high-end restaurant “Dok 54”. In the mornings, he prepared ingredients and food components, while in the evenings he assisted the chefs, spending his days in a professional kitchen alongside experienced colleagues. He considers Erasmus+ an excellent opportunity to learn, gain valuable work experience and discover new cultures at the same time.
Studying at the technical school also gave Aleksandrs the opportunity to take his first major step towards independence. Since the second semester of his first year, he has been living in the student dormitory of the Riga Technical School of Tourism and Creative Industries. Moving away from home was not easy at first, as he did not know anyone in the new environment. However, dormitory life has taught him practical but important lessons. Independence is not simply a romantic idea of growing up – it means taking responsibility for your own space, daily routine and living alongside others.
"I moved to Riga because I wanted to become more independent and experience real life. I quickly realised that the most important thing in a dormitory is making friends. Then you are never bored, and they can help you when needed. Living in the dormitory taught me how to keep my room clean. Before, I never wanted to do that. Now I understand that it is one of those things you simply cannot avoid in everyday life. I am also the senior student representative for the fifth floor of the dormitory. This means I communicate with the teachers, help solve problems and make sure our floor stays organised and tidy," says Aleksandrs.
Aleksandrs lives in the student dormitory on Nīcgales Street, which is currently being gradually renovated. He says that everyday life there is comfortable and convenient – each floor has a shared kitchen, each room has its own bathroom, and up to six students share a room. Meanwhile, the technical school’s second dormitory on Augusta Deglava Street has already been fully renovated with support from European Union Cohesion Policy funding and the national budget. It was officially opened to students in March 2025. Aleksandrs has visited it and admits that the facilities are indeed modern.
Aleksandrs is also actively involved in student life. He is a member of the Student Council, where he helps implement various initiatives and organise school activities. For example, together with other students, he helped plan Easter relay competitions. Beyond student self-government activities, he regularly participates in school sports competitions, including floorball, basketball, volleyball and football.
In his opinion, student participation is important because students themselves know best what is relevant, interesting and needed in school life.
"I think it is very important because if students do not get involved, school life becomes less interesting for them. Teachers cannot always fully know what students want, what they are missing or what would truly engage them. As peers, we understand this better, which is why we can contribute ideas and help make school life more active and interesting for everyone."
Aleksandrs’ story demonstrates that vocational education can be a valuable starting point for a young person’s professional journey. It offers opportunities not only to gain an education and a profession, but also to experience real working environments, take advantage of international opportunities and learn independence. He would encourage other young people not to be afraid of choosing this path, especially if they already have an interest in a particular field and want to learn through practical experience.
His experience also highlights another important lesson: not finding the right profession or study programme on the first attempt is not a failure. Sometimes it is the second choice that leads to the right place.
The development of student dormitory infrastructure at the Riga Technical School of Tourism and Creative Industries is being supported by the European Union and the national budget. The reconstruction of the dormitory at Augusta Deglava Street 41B was implemented within Project No. 4.2.1.6/4/24/I/003, “Modernisation of the Learning Environment at the Riga Technical School of Tourism and Creative Industries for the Acquisition of Industry-Relevant Skills (Second Phase of Project No. 8.1.3.0/16/I/012)”, under the European Union Cohesion Policy Programme 2021–2027. Construction works were financed through both an EU Cohesion Policy project and a national high-readiness investment project aimed at overcoming the effects of the COVID-19 crisis and supporting economic recovery. The project was implemented by the Riga Technical School of Tourism and Creative Industries in cooperation with the State Education Development Agency.
This story was produced with the support of EU Funds.
