Definition of the target group(s)

The target groups in this chapter are adults who need special education, minority speakers and adults in need of career guidance.

Specific support measures

Special needs education for adults

There are two different kinds of special education for adults within the Norwegian primary/ lower secondary education system.

One type of special education is intended for people who would not benefit sufficiently from standard schooling and the adult education programme cannot be adapted to your learning needs. In the school year 2019/2020, 3 391 adults participated in this kind of special education (source: Skills Norway’s Statistics Bank).

The other type of special education is available to people who need to improve or maintain basic skills. This kind of help may be appropriate after you complete an upper secondary education and you still need help, or if you have been injured or become ill and you need help to function in daily life. 

The entitlement to special education for adults is regulated by § 4A-2 in the Education Act.

Language training for minority speakers

The majority of refugees and immigrants who get a residence permit in Norway have a right and an obligation to attend an introductory course in Norwegian and social studies. In 2019, 31 064 adults participated in Norwegian and social studies (source: Skills Norway’s Statistics Bank).

The entitlement to tuition in Norwegian and social studies is regulated by the Introduction Act.

Career guidance

Adults in primary and secondary education are entitled to career guidance. This entitlement is regulated by the Education Act. Anyone in Norway who needs career guidance is offered free, public guidance either face-to-face at guidance centres in all counties and by phone or chat by using the online service karriereveiledning.no.