Norway: HVET leads to high employment

Candidate Survey 2025 overview

The sixth edition of the candidate survey was conducted in May 2025 by NIFU for the Directorate of Higher Education and Skills. It targeted individuals who completed an HVET programme of 30 credits or more between 2021 and 2024. A total of 35 631 graduates were invited to participate, with a response rate of 25.3 %. The main report, published in January 2026, offers new insights into education, employment, wages, mobility, and the sector's growth.

Graduates’ employment outcomes

The Candidate Survey 2025 shows that nine in ten graduates are in employment one year after completing their studies, a level consistent with previous cohorts, while 7% stated that they are unemployed before starting their education.

Unemployment is generally low, averaging 3 %, in line with the rest of the workforce. However, rates are higher in some sectors, such as IT and creative subjects, where unemployment can reach 12%. In creative fields, up to 25% continue their studies the year after completing vocational education.

More than three quarters studied without leave or time off from work, meaning that they engaged in their education as part of their job, and three out of four were in jobs related to their field of study (see figure).

These results are consistent with previous surveys, though a slightly higher number of graduates are now taking time off during their studies.

Changing job mobility patterns

The survey also points to lower job mobility than in earlier years.  Fewer graduates change jobs after completing HVET education, while the proportion remaining in the same position has risen sharply from 30% to 51%. Many graduates continue their studies, most often by pursuing another vocational degree. These trends suggest HVET increasingly supports skills development within current roles rather than immediate career changes.

Evolving student profile and satisfaction

The study highlights significant shifts in student composition. The share of women, older learners and graduates with an immigrant background has increased, reflecting the expansion of programmes in certain areas, such as health and welfare, economics and administration, and information technology.

Candidate satisfaction corresponds to how well they believe they have achieved their goals.

Policy relevance

The survey results indicate a strong correlation between HVET subjects and labour market needs, supporting the existing HVET policy orientations.

The findings closely align with the priorities in the Herning Declaration, particularly the emphasis on strong labour market relevance of VET, flexible learning pathways, lifelong learning, and inclusive participation, and serve as a basis for ongoing discussions on lifelong learning, programme relevance, and inclusion.

Read more:

• Nordic Institute for Studies in Innovation, Research and Education (NIFU). (2025). Vocational school graduates: Stability and change in vocational adaptation and student composition. Results from the candidate survey for higher vocational education, graduating classes 2021–2024  [Fagskolekandidatene: Stabilitet og endring i yrkestilpasning og studentsammensetning. Resultater fra kandidatundersøkelsen for høyere yrkesfaglig utdanning, avgangskullene 2021–2024].
• Information about the survey results on The Norwegian Directorate of Higher Education and Skills’ webpage (in Norwegian and English): Kandidatundersøkelsen 2025 - Fagskolekandidatene: Stabilitet og endring i yrkestilpasning og studentsammensetning | HK-dir
• Information about the survey results on NIFU’s webpage (in English).