Now Norwegian government plans to spend 166 million kroner so that adults across the country can receive training in basic skills in reading, writing, numeracy, speaking, computer science and Norwegian or Sámi.
Working life places even more stringent requirements
- More than 400 adults in Norway have poor basic reading skills. Even more in the field of IT. When working life makes even stricter competency requirements, we need to ensure that even more people get the training they need to work. It is an investment in individuals that we, as a society, are also happy about, says Research and Higher Education Minister Henrik Asheim.
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The provinces of Trøndelag, Viken and Oslo will receive the most money
The program is managed by Kompetanse Norge and the money goes to 856 courses. Companies in Viken, Oslo and Trøndelag receive the greatest support.
- The courses that will now be introduced throughout the country will mainly provide adults with new competences that will both provide them with a place in their working life and benefit the employer. In addition, those who want to start a working life will have the opportunity to attend courses through voluntary organizations, says Asheim.
The crisis has reinforced the need for more education
Before the coronavirus crisis hit in March, we knew that technological development, digitization and changes in ecology would lead to the disappearance of some jobs and job shifts.
- The coronavirus crisis has shown that often people without formal competences or with low competences leave their professional life first and then fight for a return. Greater education and competences will contribute to Norway's short-term exit from the crisis, while also being an investment in the future, says Asheim.
Since 2006, almost 100 adults have participated in training under the Kompetense Plus program.
- The allocation of funds under Kompetense Plus enables the adaptation of basic skills training for working people. We want to give more people the motivation and the opportunity to acquire new competences. The whole experience shows that this makes them stronger in their working life, says the director of Sveinung Skule at Kompetense Norge.
