Investment in Youth Through Vocational Education and Training
摘要
This chapter examines Norway’s vocational education and training (VET) system, focusing on its integration within the upper secondary education framework and its role in youth investment. Anchored in Norway’s strong welfare policies, the VET system emphasizes inclusivity, flexibility, and the alignment of education with labor market needs. The primary model, combining 2 years of school-based learning with apprenticeship training, provides students with practical skills and work-based experiences, ensuring their readiness for professional life. The chapter explores key elements such as the tripartite collaboration among the state, employers, and unions, the structured pathways facilitating career mobility, and the financial mechanisms—training salaries, subsidies for businesses, and legal guarantees—that enhance accessibility and retention. By emphasizing the importance of youth investment, the chapter contextualizes VET as a strategic approach to fostering social inclusion, economic participation, and equality. Norway’s integrated model serves as a valuable example for how vocational training can simultaneously address the needs of young people and the broader labor market, offering insights for other nations seeking to balance education and employment strategies.