On this page

1. National strategy

2. Formal education: main policy measures on ELET

3. Addressing ELET through non-formal and informal learning and quality youth work

4. Cross-sector coordination and monitoring of ELET interventions

National strategy

The Lied-committee, chaired by Ragnhild Lied, was appointed by the Ministry of Education and Research on 1 September 2017. The committee's mandate was to assess the strengths and weaknesses of upper secondary education, and to propose changes in the structure, organization and composition of the education. On December 17, 2019, the committee handed over the Official Norwegian Report on the structure and content of upper secondary education [NOU 2019: 25 Med rett til å mestre – Struktur og innhold i videregående opplæring].The committee proposed measures to help students qualify for further education, working life and active participation in society. 

In 2020 the Government introduced a "completion reform" through White Paper No. 21 (2020-2021) with the aim of boosting completion rates in upper secondary education. The White Paper was based on many of the proposals from the Lied-committee.

Formal education: main policy measures on ELET

It is not enough that students manage to complete upper secondary education. The goal is that everyone who enters upper secondary education actually becomes qualified for an apprenticeship, work, education and lifelong learning. The competencies they gain must be in demand by working life and educational institutions. For adults, the Government also aims to make it easier for more people to participate in training and skills development, both those who already have upper secondary education and those who need a qualification for the first time.

As part of the " completion reform" [White Paper No. 21 (2020-2021)] the Government is working on the following measures:

• Extend the rights of both young people and adults to complete as well as requalify for upper secondary education.
• Investing in apprenticeships for everyone who wants a vocational or journeyman's certificate.
• Assess what is needed for students to qualify for and be prepared for higher education.
• Ensure equitable and inclusive access to upper secondary education for all, including a strategy for better inclusion of  students with disabilities.
• Investing in measures that promote lifelong learning - upper secondary education must also be available for adults.

Addressing ELET through non-formal and informal learning and quality youth work

The Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs administers a national grant scheme for projects aimed at the development of open meeting places, participation in holiday and leisure activities and completion of education among vulnerable youth. Public bodies, voluntary organizations and private actors can apply for grants. 

Cross-sector coordination and monitoring of ELET interventions

The Government introduced a new youth guarantee in July 2023. The new youth guarantee is enshrined in a new regulation on follow-up measures under the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Agency's own authority.

The implementation of the youth guarantee involves improved investments for individual follow up of young people aged 16 -30 not in education or employment. This means a fixed contact person at the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) who will provide regular follow-up and, among other things, offer guidance on educational opportunities and opportunities in the labor market if necessary.The contact person can also help coordinate assistance from various sectors and agencies for young people with complex needs. We depend on good cooperation with employers, the education sector, the health services and other municipal services.

‘Skolelos’ is an initiative implemented through municipal child protection services aimed at young people aged 12-18 who live at home and who need support to attend school and prevent early leaving from education and training. To gain knowledge about how the initiative works in practice, and if the associated tools and training platforms are appropriate, a small-scale trial with between 15 and 20 municipalities has been carried out by the Directorate of Children, Youth and Family Affairs since 2020. Approximately 65 young people have received follow-up through the initiative each year, with a high success rate. Upcoming goals are to continue the optimalization of the model through collaboration with participating municipalities as well as further development of the knowledge base.