Videreopplæring

Videreopplæring, or continuing education for adults, refers to organized learning activities aimed at updating skills, acquiring new competencies, or changing career paths. It is part of lifelong learning and complements compulsory schooling, higher education, and formal vocational training by offering opportunities to re-skill or up-skill throughout life.

In Norway, videreopplæring covers a range of programs, including vocational upgrading, general adult education, literacy and language courses, and pathways to certificates or degrees later in life. It is delivered by a mix of public and private providers, such as municipalities and county authorities, voksenopplæringssentre (adult education centers), vocational colleges (fagskoler), universities and university colleges, and private education providers. Some courses are subsidized by the state, and learners may have access to student loans and grants for lifelong learning through Lånekassen, depending on eligibility. Employers may also sponsor or fund training programs to meet workforce needs.

Formats commonly used in videreopplæring include evenings, weekends, part-time studies, distance learning, and online courses, allowing flexible participation for working adults. Some programs offer credits toward higher studies, and many institutions provide or facilitate vurdering av realkompetanse (recognition of prior learning) to translate work and life experience into formal qualifications.

Outcomes from videreopplæring typically include improved employability, the ability to shift to new roles or industries, and personal development. While its expansion supports lifelong learning objectives and social inclusion, challenges remain, such as ensuring consistent funding and quality, maintaining up-to-date curricula, integrating digital learning, and ensuring accessible opportunities across regions and for diverse learner groups.