2. Sveinung Skule
22-10-2012
The Norwegian Competence Reform
Background, measures, results and lessons

3. The Competence Reform (1999-2003)
Main strategy for lifelong learning for adults in Norway
Main goal: To provide individuals, enterprises and
society with the competences needed
Aimed to be a workplace and an educational reform
– Second chance for low skilled adults
– Tailored and flexible training at the workplace
Targeted at all adults, employed and unemployed
Broad concept of learning – lifelong and lifewide
Sveinung Skule 22-10-2012 3

4. Background
Late 80’s
– Economic recession
– Greying work force and growing demands for formal qualifications
– Decline of industry
1994 Statutory rights to upper secondary education for youth
1993-1995 LO initiated a reform on further and continuing education
– Main priority in 1993 congress
– LO Action Plan for further and continuing education (1995)
Parliamentary suggestion on paid educational leave turned down (1996)
Public tripartite commission: “New competence” (1997)
Bipartite Joint Action Plan for Competence (1998)
White paper “The Competence Reform” (1999)
– Action Plan 2000-2004
Sveinung Skule 22-10-2012 4

5. Measures
Tax exemptions for training expenses paid for by the employer
Statutory rights
– Study leave
– Free primary and lower education for adults
– Free upper secondary education for adults
– Recognition of prior informal learning and shortened programs (Realkompetanse)
No agreement on paid educational leave
– but improved financing of life subsistence through The State Educational Loan Fund
Public support for flexible learning
The Competence Development Program – 700 partnership projects
Basic skills program for adults (2005- )
Establishment of National Institute for Adult Learning (VOX)
Tripartite and bipartite implementation bodies
Sveinung Skule 22-10-2012 5

6. Reduced participation in adult education & training
70%
60%
50%
40% Further education (formal)
training (non-formal)
30%
learning intensive work
20%
10%
0%
2003 2004 2005 2006 2008 2009 2010 2011
Sveinung Skule Source: NIFU/SSB:
19.10.2012 6
The Learning Conditions Monitor

7. Norway ranks high in adult education & training
Most training is paid for by the employer
Have you had training paid for by your employer in the past year?
FI
NL
SE
SI
NO
CZ
UK
DK
IE
AT
DE
EE
BE
SK
LU
EU15
EC12
EU27
PL
MT
ES
LV
PT
CY
HU
Source: EWCS, 2010
IT
FR
.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0%

8. The Nordic countries – labour force- and training participation
Training
participation %
70.00
60.00 SWE
DNK
50.00 GBR FIN NOR
FRA NZL
40.00
USA
AUS CAN
NLD
AUT CZE
30.00 IRL
BEL CHE
ITA ESP DEU
20.00 PRT
GRC POL
HUN
10.00
Correlation : 0.71 ***
0.00
60.00 65.00 70.00 75.00 80.00 85.00 90.00
Labour force participation rate %
Sveinung Skule 19.10.2012 8
Kilde: OECD, 2004

9. Lessons from the Norwegian experience
The level of training investment is influenced more by the general working
life regime than by E&T policies
It’s hard to improve from a high level
Commitment depends on economic cycles
Enterprise practices reproduce social inequalities in learning
The workplace is an important arena for learning and source of motivation
Measures directed towards individuals & education providers is not enough
– Enterprises are the main investors in learning
– A small minority of adults participate in formal education, many in non-formal training
Public policies need to address the demand side of the skills market
– Incentives for the enterprises to invest in learning
– The distribution of training investments between different groups
Sveinung Skule 22-10-2012 9

10. www.nifu.no