Types of institutions

A large majority of upper secondary schools in Norway are combined schools, i.e. they offer both general and vocational education. Institutions offering both general and vocational education sometimes have teaching facilities in separate buildings.

The schools specialise and offer full qualifications in different programmes. All the county authorities have to offer most of the educational programmes of the curriculum.

Public or private enterprises and organisations approved by the county authorities to take on apprentices are responsible for apprenticeship training. Thus, in Norway both schools, enterprises and organisations may be VET providers.

Geographical accessibility

Same as for general upper secondary education. See chapter 6.2. 

Admission requirements and choice of school

Same as for generela upper secondary education. See chapter 6.2.

Age levels and grouping of pupils/students

In the standard model for vocational education and training, the first two years are spent in school (year 1 and year 2). Pupils are 15-16 years or older. The concluding specialised training (normally two years) is provided through company-based training (apprenticeship). This part of the training normally consists of up to one year of full-time instruction combined with up to one year of productive work in an enterprise in the public or private sector. The training is often combined with some teaching at school. County authorities assist pupils in finding apprenticeship enterprises. If there are not enough apprenticeship places, the county authorities are obliged to provide a specialisation option in year 3 in school, leading to a trade or journeyman's certificate. In such cases there is no productive work in an enterprise i.e. the trade or journeyman’s test is taken directly after the school year. Thus, this structure requires a close cooperation between schools and employers.

Organisation of the school year

Same as for general upper secondary education. See chapter 6.2.

Organisation of the school day and week

Pupils in vocational upper secondary programmes follow the same regulations as pupils in general programmes. Apprentices follow the working day and week of the training enterprise, regulated in the Work Environment Act.