Curriculum, subjects, number of hours
From 2020 there are around 211 subject curricula in vocational education. Also, there are seven common core subjects. Mandatory subjects in all the vocational programmes are Norwegian, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, English, Social Science and Physical Education. There are at present ten areas of vocational education in year 1. These lead to 52 different subject curricula in year 2 and further craft and trade specialisation which most often is enterprise-based training.
The subject requirements for pupils/apprentices within the vocational education programmes are stated in chapter 3.4 in the Framework regulating the distribution of teaching hours in subjects (in Norwegian only).
During the course of the school-based two years, the pupils shall have 588 hours Common Core Subjects and 954 hours Core Curriculum Options from their area of study. Also, they shall have 421 hours of Vocational Specialisation.
The ten programme areas of vocational education (from 2020) are the following:
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Subjects and teaching hours for pupils in vocational education programmes after 2 years in school:
| Norwegian | 112 |
| Mathematics | 84 |
| Natural Sciences | 56 |
| English | 140 |
| Social Studies | 84 |
| Physical Education | 112 |
| Total Common Core Curriculum | 588 |
| Common Core Options from an area of Education Programme | 955 |
| Vocational Specialisation | 421 |
| Total over a two-year period | 1963 |
Pupils and apprentices wishing to achieve University Entrance Qualifications can do this by taking an extra year 3 (bridging course) in upper secondary education which includes additional Common Core Curriculum Subjects (701 hours) and 140 hours Core Curriculum options from the Programme for General Studies.
Additional core curriculum subjects and common core options from the Programme for General Studies to achieve University Entrance qualifications:
| Norwegian | 281 |
| Mathematics | 140 |
| Natural Sciences | 84 |
| History | 140 |
| Physical Education | 56 |
| Total Common Core Curriculum | 588 |
| Common Core Options from General Studies area | 140 |
| Total | 841 |
Social partner representatives from business, industry and the public sector hold the majority of the seats in all advisory bodies in the decision-making system for upper secondary VET. Close dialogue with the social partners is important in anticipating skills needs and in securing relevant provision of VET. Thus, tripartite cooperation is important in both designing VET provision and in assuring relevance and quality in accordance with labour market needs.
The social partners have been actively involved in the development of a new structure of available courses and apprenticeships which came into force from the school year 2020–21 and also in the development of renewed VET curricula for all trades and crafts in accordance with labour market needs. The new VET curricula were implemented as of the school year 2020–21.