Background information

In May 2021, the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) and the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO) launched a joint platform for energy and industrial policy. The goal was to highlight the essential factors for securing industrial investments and for fostering the development of competence and knowledge in Norway, particularly in the context of climate change. This initiative aims to ensure the future of exports, jobs, and value creation.

The two social partners commissioned a report to identify the competence and knowledge needed for the green transition. In March 2023, they also hosted a seminar to discuss the critical role of vocational training in the green and digital transformation.

Content of measure

The commissioned report, Competence and knowledge requirements for the green transition, (Kompetanse- og kunnskapsbehov for det grønne skiftet) by Oslo Economics (2022), shows that Norway is at risk of missing out on significant opportunities for green value creation because the country lack both knowledge and competence. According to the report, more than 100,000 new jobs could be created by 2030 in eight examined value chains if qualified labour is available. 50% of these will be occupations in the crafts and operator sectors, 40% will be engineers and supervisors, and 10% will be civil engineers and ICT developers. The report acknowledges an existing shortage of the demanded competencies and anticipates this shortage to continue into 2030 if current trends persist. The report concludes that the increased competence needs associated with the new industries will depend on the adaptability of the education system, the economy's capacity to adjust, and the overall level of economic activity. If the goals for the development and growth of the eight value chains are to be met, the required competencies must be addressed through a combination of new candidates from the educational system, retraining of current employees, transfer of labor from other industries, or labor immigration.

The Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO) argues that the country must acknowledge the significance of vocational education and training to the green transition. Without enough craftsmen and operators, we will not be able to realize enough green jobs in the coming time, the social partners argue.

Use of measure

Not applicable.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
Social partners jointly Trade unions Employers' organisations	Employers organisation Social partners jointly

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative	Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative
Form	Any other form of consultation, institutionalised (as stable working groups or committees) or informal	Any other form of consultation, institutionalised (as stable working groups or committees) or informal

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Social partners jointly
• Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

The commission of the report was a joint venture of the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) and the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO). After launching a joint energy and industrial policy platform aimed at securing Norway a sustainable and competitive business sector, NHO and LO requested a survey of specific knowledge and competence needs within eight selected industries where Norway has comparative advantages. The report will serve as a basis for NHO and LO's further work in the field of competence.

Views and reactions

The social partners recognise an enormous need for competence and knowledge, and LO and NHO have encouraged the government to set up a high-level group between the parties in working life, relevant ministries and social actors, who together can find effective and good solutions that solve the challenges.

Sources

• 15 November 2022: New report: Sky-high need for more skilled workers (www.lo.no)
• 24 March 2023: Seminar on the importance of vocational training for green and digital transformation (www.nho.no)