professionalization of customs in latvia

Professionalization Professionalization of Customs in of Customs in

LatviaLatvia

Prof.,Dr.Aivars Krastiņš Prof.,Dr.Aivars Krastiņš Riga Technical UniversityRiga Technical University

Requirements for customs Requirements for customs officerofficer profession profession

education

specialized knowledge

practical skills

work experience

work functions

goals

PROFESSIONCUSTOMS OFFICER

Recruiting in customsRecruiting in customs (1) (1)

hiring people with level of education (college, bachelors degree, masters

degree, etc) necessary for the specific post obtained in specialities close to customs


organizing determined education of customs officers in accordance with

profession standard and requirements of education standard

Education of customs officers in LatviaEducation of customs officers in Latvia

SHORT INSIGHT INTO HISTORY

• 1991 – restoration of independence of the Republic of Latvia

• 1994 – merge of two institutions dealing with tax administration – the Customs Department and the Financial Inspection to establish a single national tax administration authority – the State Revenue Service (SRS)

PROBLEMS OF INCEPTION PERIOD:

• disarray in legislation

• no profession standard for customs officers

• insufficient information on such education systems abroad

• no experience in elaborating such education systems

• elaboration of specific subjects and programs


PROBLEMS OF INCEPTION PERIOD (continued) : • lack of teaching and methodological literature

• shortage of qualified lecturers

• specific customs terminology in Latvian language

• weak language skills of customs officers

• shortage of financial resources, etc


SHORT INSIGHT INTO HISTORY (continued)

• 1994 – foundation of International Business and Customs Institute (SESMI)* under the Faculty of Engineering and Economics of Riga Technical University (RTU)

* a commonly used Latvian abbreviation


ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Professional standards developed and approved:

“Customs Expert”“Head of a Structural Unit of a Customs Office”

• Study programme developed:“Administration of Customs and Taxes”


• 1st LEVEL PROFESSIONAL TERITARY EDUCATION PROGRAMME (college level)

2 years full-time = 80CP qualification “Customs Expert”

• PROFESSIONAL BACHELORS PROGRAMME

4 years full-time = 160CP

• PROFESSIONAL MASTERS PROGRAMME

1,5 years full time = 60CP

Professional Bachelors Degree in administration of customs and

taxes

Professional Masters Degree in administration of customs and

taxes

qualification “Head of a structural qualification “Head of a structural unit of a customs office”unit of a customs office”,,


• covering levels of college, professional bachelors and masters education

• studies final stage - qualification or diploma paper

• studies in public higher education establishment

• accredited study programme in three levels

FEATURES OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM:FEATURES OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM:


• education in area of customs and tax

• education of customs officers and customs clients

• qualification raising courses for customs officers and customs clients

• close co-operation between RTU and SRS

FEATURES OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM FEATURES OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM (continu(continued):ed):


CCustoms profession standardustoms profession standard

• similar requirements for profession of customs officer in different countries

• improvement of customs officer professionalism

• customs capacity building

• better co-operation in the areas of education of customs officers and science

FEATURES OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM FEATURES OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM (continu(continueded))::

Thank you for your attention!

professionalization of customs in latvia

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