1. Strengthening the knowledge base Norway
OECD, 30 October

2. Lifelong learning
Increased recognition of the importance of lifelong learning
Main objective: to meet the need for competence in society and working life
flexibility and adjustment to new tasks
The Competence Reform (1999)

3. The elements of the Competence Reform

4. Establishment of Vox Vox – National centre for adult education (2001)
3 institutions merged into one
research is no longer Vox’s responsibility
The main objective in the Competence Building Programme was to implement part of the Competence Reform
administered by Vox

5. Competence Building Programme
739 allocations of funding, involving about persons ( )
2 phases:
Funding for innovative development projects
Funding for dissemination
Also: Models for funding of subsistence
A wide range of projects in a lot of different branches
common denominator: the workplace as an arena for learning and training

6. Evaluation of the programme
The programme is being evaluated by two research institutions
Responsibility: The Ministry of Education and Research
Final report in December 2006
Preliminary findings:
A successful programme
Difficult to reach those with the lowest level of competence
Projects for dissemination: A meeting place more than a market place for users and suppliers of learning

7. New programme
based on the findings from the Competence Building Programme and the findings of IALS and ALL
BKA (Basic Competence in Working life)
Main objective: to enhance basic skills to be able to meet requirement and adjustments in work life (and society)
Reading, writing, numeracy and digital tools
Based on the demands of modern working life
The programme is being administered by Vox
the Ministry of Education and Research has responsibility for evaluation

8. European Language Portfolio
National tool for adult learning
European Language Portfolio for adult immigrants
A version for immigrants with poor school background under production
More focus on formative assessment
OECD
National conference for teachers in adult education by Vox
The term ”formative assessment” is mentioned in the guideline to the national curriculum for the teaching of Norwegian as a second language to adult immigrants
Focus on implementation of ELP as a method – funding for different projects in 2007

9. Challenges
A lot of money spent without knowing if the effect is satisfactory
increasing attention regarding organizing, funding, implementation (including methods) and teachers’ competence
Lack of evidence
The Knowledge Promotion – has to be adjusted to the individual
No guidance
Individual adaptation – same curricula for all groups
Requires professional and highly competent teachers

10. To sum up: Increased focus on basic skills More focus on competence
descriptions of levels of competence are developed
More focus on competence
More focus on reporting and documentation

11. For more information about the ”Competence Building Programme” and
”Basic skills in working life”, please contact:
Or: