Vocational education and training (VET) typically provides learning opportunities to young people with diverse abilities, needs, interests and aspirations – including learners who lack academic interest or face academic challenges. However, not all VET programmes are suited for learners with learning challenges, and tailored programmes and/or support measures may be needed to ensure these learners do not leave the education system without relevant vocational skills. Norway introduced the Training Candidate Scheme (lærekandidatordningen) in 2001 for learners who do not meet the requirements for participation in the standard apprenticeship programme that leads to a vocational or journeyman’s certificate (i.e. the qualification following the regular apprenticeship pathway).
Training Candidate Scheme – Norway
Abstract
Norway’s Training Candidate Scheme runs parallel to the regular apprentice scheme, the difference being that one does not aim to achieve all curriculum objectives, but a reduced curriculum focused on developing skills needed in working life. The starting point is the main model in vocational training, the 2+2 apprenticeship model in which learners spend two years at school and two years in the company. However, it is also possible to set up flexible solutions, such as full in-company training. An adapted training plan is created based on the candidate’s background and aspirations, with a duration of one to four years. The plan can be changed along the way in consultation with the company, apprentice candidate and the county council. The curriculum is adapted for each individual based on each candidates’ abilities and needs, with the degree of adaptation varying substantially between different candidates.
At the end of the training, apprentice candidates sit a competency test to assess them in the training objectives set out in the adapted training plan. When they pass the competence test, they obtain basic competence and receive a certificate of competence. With the new Education Act from August 2024 candidates with completed certificate of competence, will continue to have the right to education until they have completed upper secondary education with a trade or journeyman’s certificate.
Companies can receive a grant for participation in the programme, the same grant as those engaged in the provision of regular apprenticeships. The company can, on behalf of the apprentice candidate, apply for extra grants for apprentices with special needs.
An evaluation of the programme was carried out by the Nordic Institute for Studies of Innovation, Research and Education (NIFU) in 2018, using register data and data collected through a survey to all counties in Norway and to school counsellors in lower and upper secondary schools, and through interviews with firms with training candidates and with social partner representatives. The evaluation shows that the programme facilitates skills development among students with poor academic performance: apprentice candidates with low grades from lower secondary achieved a higher competence in upper secondary education than students that received special needs education and comparable students in ordinary vocational tracks. By contrast, apprentice candidates with higher grades from lower secondary did not benefit from the scheme. The evaluation also highlighted some challenges, including diversity in the use of the scheme across counties, unclear targeting, and low progress of the programme completers to a VET programme at upper secondary level. Based on this evaluation, the Norwegian Parliament asked the government in 2023 to expand and strengthen the scheme.
Further reading
[1] NIFU (2018), Evaluering av lærekandidatordningen, https://www.udir.no/tall-og-forskning/finn-forskning/rapporter/evaluering-av-larekadidatordningen/.
[2] Rogaland fylkeskommune (2024), Hva er lærekandidatordningen?, https://www.rogfk.no/vare-tjenester/skole-og-utdanning/opplaring-i-bedrift/larling-og-larekandidat/larekandidatordningen-opplaring-i-deler-av-lareplanen/hva-er-larekandidatordningen/.
[3] Storinget (2023), Representantforslag om å styrke lærekandidatordningen og gjøre den tilgjengelig for flere, https://www.stortinget.no/no/Saker-og-publikasjoner/Publikasjoner/Representantforslag/2022-2023/dok8-202223-099s/?all=true.
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