Lessons from

Norway: Policy responses

to evidence from PIAAC

Xeni Kristine Dimakos,

Director, Research department

Overview

• Norway: A high performing country in PIAAC

• But, there are serious challenges

• Policy actions following PIAAC

Numeracy

1. Japan (288)

…

6. Norway (278)

…

17. England/N.Ireland (262)

Literacy

1. Japan (296)

…

6. Norway (278)

…

13. England/N.Ireland (272)

Problem solving

1. Sweden

…

4. Norway

…

9. England/N.Ireland

Norway: One of the high performers

Participation in education and training

• 400 000 in literacy

• 480 000 in numeracy

• 800 000 in problem solving

Large number of low achievers

240 245 250 255 260 265 270 275 280 285 290 295 300Score

Avera

ge 1

6-2

4 y

ear-o

lds

KOREA

Germany

Norway

Avera

ge 5

5-6

5 y

ear-o

lds

Spain

Finland

France

US

UK

260

265

270

275

280

285

290

295

300

305

310

IALS ALL PIAAC

Sco

re

Norway

Netherlands

Canada

United States

Australia

Sweden

Denmark

Finland

Development over time

The Skills Strategy

• Prior to the launch of PIAAC, the

OECD and Norway started

working on a skills strategy for

Norway

• 2013: Diagnostic phase

• February 2014: Diagnostic report

• September 2014: Action report

Developing

1. Building strong foundation

skills for all

2. Reducing drop outs

3. Informing educational

choices

Activating

4. Enhancing participation

5. Encouraging labor market

attachment (low skilled

youth)

6. Ensuring Norwegian remain

active longer

Using

7. Engaging employers in

ensuring a highly skilled

workforce

8. Promoting innovation and

entrepreneurship

9. Enhancing use of migrant

worker skills

Skills system

1. Facilitating a whole of

government approach

2. Ensuring local flexibility and

adaptability

3. Improving implementation

and building partnerships

12 main challenges identified

Top 3 priorities

1. Norway’s skills system

effectiveness

2. Tackling skills imbalances

3. Education and training for

low-skilled adults

1. Set up a skills strategy for Norway

2. Establish an action plan on continuous

education and training

3. Strengthen the link between skills

development and economic demand

4. Build a comprehensive career

guidance system

5. Strengthen incentives for people to

move into shortage occupations

5 key actions

A white paper in the making

• “Lifelong learning and exclusion”

• Started early 2014

• To be presented late this year

• A joint initiative • Ministry of Education and research

• Ministry of labour and social affairs

• Ministry of children, equality and social inclusion

The white paper aims at presenting a new and

holistic policy for adults with low basic skills