Validation of non-formal and informal learning in Norway – new country report

Ure, O. B. (2019). European inventory on validation of non-formal and informal learning. 2018 update: Norway.

Every second year, European Commission services take stock of how various countries put into action the European Council Recommendation on validation of non-formal and informal learning, which dates back to 2012. The 2018 update to the European Inventory on validation is a project managed by ICF, under the supervision of a steering committee formed by the Commission and two EU agencies (Cedefop and ETF). The country update for Norway was produced by Odd Bjørn Ure, CONSULTUR Studies&Analyses.

MAIN FINDINGS
Since the 2016 update to the European Inventory, Norwegian validation practices as a whole have not been modified. Overall, the take-up of validation is reported as stable in Norway. Yet to follow up a 2016 white paper, validation of competencies has been modified for vocational colleges (ISCED levels 4 and 5). Also, exemption from part of programmes on the basis of non-formal and informal learning has been transferred from regulation to law, to make the legal framework more similar to that for higher education. Another recent initiative facilitates more rapid documentation and validation of skills held by refugees and immigrants. Finally, Norwegian authorities have lately improved the provision of guidance to all learners who want to have their non-formal and informal learning validated and recognised.
https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/events-and-projects/projects/validation-non-formal-and-informal-learning/european-inventory#Country