Integration of refugees in higher vocational education

Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills announced a competition for project funding aimed at developing, testing, and evaluating models for the use of modules in higher vocational education targeting refugees. Fagskolen Diakonova applied, won the competition, and was awarded a grant of two million Norwegian kroner. This is a pilot project that the vocational school will develop over two years.

The aim of the project is to contribute to the participation of refugees in higher vocational education, in the labor market, and in social networks. Higher vocational education fulfills a societal need by providing opportunities for education beyond secondary education for groups that are underrepresented in the university and college sector. The recruitment base for higher vocational education is broad and should be able to include refugees with a healthcare background who can then be recruited into the labor market.

Fagskolen Diakonova focuses on training teachers in rehabilitative teaching and trauma awareness, as well as customized teaching for refugees. The project aims to view refugees as a resource and enable them to enter a developing job within health and care. The project is led by Fagskolen Diakonova in collaboration with Caritas Norway, Fagbokforlaget, Virke, Grefsenhjemmet, Fagforbundet, Diakonhjemmet Care, Siljuslåtten Nursing Home, KS, and NAV Oslo.