Factory halls are growing ever quieter these days – where mechanical sounds once rang out, automated equipment, robotic mechanisms and computer control systems now do the work. Yet despite this technological transformation, one fact remains unchanged: without a person who understands the essence of the machine, without their skills, experience and sense of responsibility, no piece of equipment can create value on its own. It is the mechanical engineering specialist who breathes life into the system. As a company with decades of experience in industry, we at “Latvijas Finieris” can see that the importance of qualified mechanical engineering staff is only growing. The more modern the technology, the more we need people who are able to understand it, adapt it and improve it.

Mechanical engineering and metalworking is one of the cornerstones of Latvian industry. It accounts for roughly a fifth of total manufacturing turnover and makes up a quarter of the sector's exports. This field is associated with high added value, export capacity and technological progress. But behind these figures lies a reality: a shortage of specialists. In the labour market, mechanical engineering companies compete not only with each other, but also with other fields where young people see more opportunities or simply a more attractive image. The public conversation is dominated by stories about IT, digital marketing and the creative industries. Meanwhile, mechanical engineering is often left in the shade as a traditional, heavy, hard, dirty and old-fashioned sector.

Yet the work of a mechanical engineering specialist is no longer just about tightening screws or replacing mechanical parts. It is an engineering, analytical and creative profession. Today's mechanic works with computerised control systems, understands the logic of automation and is able to diagnose how equipment is performing using digital tools. He or she is a bridge between technology and people – the person who makes sure that the equipment runs safely, efficiently and sustainably. This profession demands thinking, patience and precision – skills that will only become more valuable in the future.
But the public's perception of this profession is often outdated. Young people do not choose it because they see no path for growth, or do not associate it with modern technology. That is why it is our duty, as employers and education partners, to show that mechanical engineering today is an innovative, smart and responsible sector.

This is not only a Latvian problem. Across Europe as a whole, more than 30% of manufacturing companies face a shortage of qualified staff. More than half of them acknowledge that it is precisely this skills deficit that is holding back their growth. In manufacturing, 32% of employees are over the age of 50, which means that over the next 10–15 years European companies will have to cope with a major generational change. That is both a problem and an opportunity. If we can attract new professionals who combine technical knowledge with digital skills, Latvia will have an advantage. Our companies are already investing in modern equipment, robotics and data systems, but all of it needs people who know how to use these technologies.

Ensuring the sector's survival and long-term growth calls for a close link between manufacturing and education. Vocational schools and universities need to work together with companies so that what is taught matches real needs. When a young person at a technical college learns to use modern equipment and sees how it is used in a factory, they are not only learning theory – they are gaining motivation.

Technology can replace strength, but not thinking. A mechanical engineering specialist is someone who sees, hears and feels the equipment, someone able to judge when it is running properly and when intervention is needed. This profession demands responsibility and care. It is work in which every movement and every decision affects the end result: whether the production line comes to a halt or runs smoothly. This sense of responsibility is exactly what we look for in new specialists. And it is exactly what we try to give in return – a safe environment in which to learn, make mistakes, grow and become a master of your trade.

The Equipment Factory of “Latvijas Finieris” has worked with vocational and higher education institutions for several years now, offering work placements and an exchange of experience. We can see that the young people who come into the factory on placement often stay on to work here. Because they discover that this job is not a “dark and dirty factory”, but a dynamic, technologically advanced environment with stable prospects.

At the Equipment Factory we have set ourselves the goal not only of keeping production running, but also of bringing on the next generation of specialists. That is why we work with vocational education institutions and organise tours and work placements. New specialists who join the Equipment Factory receive mentoring support – experienced foremen help colleagues master the finer points of the trade. We are modernising equipment and processes so that new specialists can work with technology that meets today's standards. And we are improving the working environment and the clarity of career paths – from technician to engineer and manager.
This is an investment in people that bears fruit over the long term, because knowledge and experience are what make a company resilient.

Latvia has the potential to be a country where manufacturing is not just the “old economy”, but the foundation of new technologies. We are a small country, but one with great engineering thinking, an ability to adapt and to create solutions that work on a global scale. To achieve that, however, we must strengthen the foundations – we must spark the interest of the people who put these ideas into practice. So this is an appeal to young people and to society alike: look at mechanical engineering not as the past, but as the future. It is a field in which technology, creativity and responsibility come together. It is a place where Latvia can be strong.
We at “Latvijas Finieris” believe that the strength of our factories lies in the people who are building Latvia with their skills and their hearts. And today, more than ever, we need them – young, curious and courageous specialists who are ready to set the future in motion.