At a glance
- The government's objective is to increase the number of apprenticeships and skilled workers in Norway. They aim to do this by increasing the obligation to use apprentices in public contracts.
There is a proposal to introduce a requirement that when fulfilling a contract, a minimum of 10% (or at least one person, in smaller contracts) must be an apprentice.
An employer must consider the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training’s statistics regarding applicants for apprenticeships when they are hiring employees in public contracts. If the statistics indicate that there are more applicants for apprenticeships nationwide than the number of contracts entered into, then this would demonstrate a need for additional apprenticeship positions.
The government's proposal does not distinguish between large and small contracts, although it is clear that the changes will have a significantly larger impact on bigger contracts, where the use of apprentices will be more extensive.
These changes are a step in the government's efforts towards creating a Norwegian Model, involving national integrity requirements for all public procurements. The proposed changes are now being sent out for public consultation, and the deadline for submissions is 15 November 2023.
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