With a strengthened focus on vocational schools, Noroff is well equipped to educate more technologists and digital experts. Through close cooperation with the business community, it is ensured that students are prepared to meet tomorrow's challenges.
The government has recently presented the white paper "Professionals for a new era – with higher vocational education", which states that the shortage of labor in technology is one of the biggest challenges facing Norway. To meet this need, the government is strengthening the vocational school sector and giving it a more central role in Norwegian education policy.
For Noroff, one of the country's leading educational institutions in technology, digitalization and creative subjects, this is a historic opportunity to contribute even more actively to the development of future competences, says Principal Aage Alexander Foss.
Principal at Noroff Fagskole, Aage Alexander Foss. 📷: Jeanette L. Bækkevold.
A milestone for vocational schools
– Finally, we are here! This is a recognition of how important vocational schools are to the working world, and it gives us the opportunity to educate professionals at a higher level than before. Norway has a great need for technology expertise, cybersecurity experts and digital innovators – and we at Noroff are ready to deliver, says Foss.
He was present during the presentation of the white paper and sees this as a breakthrough for the sector.
Noroff builds bridges between education and working life
The government emphasizes that higher vocational education must be practical and work-oriented. This is the core of our philosophy, emphasizes Foss:
– We educate students with competence that is directly applicable in the labor market. Whether it is through our online studies, campus studies or part-time solutions, we give students the opportunity to adapt their education to their needs. This makes it possible for students all over the country to combine work and education. Our education has been developed in close collaboration with the business community to ensure that students receive the competence they need.
We are at the forefront, especially in technology and digitalization, with education in AI, cybersecurity, UX design and digital marketing.
– Our goal is to educate professionals who not only keep up with developments, but who help shape the future labor market, says Foss.
International recognition and mobility
One of the major debates following the presentation of the white paper is how vocational school education at levels 6 and 7 should be defined. Should they be called bachelor's and master's degrees, or should Norway find its own terms?
Foss believes that Norway should stick to the established European standards:
– Europe already has an established conceptual framework for this, and an established currency for international credit calculation: ECTS. This system is the key to mobility, recognition and comparability in European higher education. Choosing something else now would be like saying that we are going to create our own way to measure a meter, instead of using the metric unit that the rest of the world agrees on. Are we really going to make Norwegian expertise less accessible and less internationally competitive? he asks.
Noroff is part of the solution
With the government's new focus on vocational schools, Noroff is strengthening its role as a leading player in higher vocational education.
– This is a historic opportunity to give more people access to relevant, practice-oriented education. We will take this opportunity and continue to shape the professionals of the future – in line with the needs of working life and the development of society, says Foss.
With the government's new focus on vocational schools, Noroff will play an important role in shaping the future labor market. By offering education that is closely linked to the needs of the business community, Noroff ensures that students are well prepared for the technological developments that lie ahead. Through flexible study solutions and strong collaboration with industry, we are able to educate professionals who not only meet today's demands, but who also help create tomorrow's solutions.
