- This is a milestone that provides the school's staff with new opportunities for professional development and international exchange of experiences, says Rector Aage Alexander Foss.
Noroff Vocational School has recently received exciting news from the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir): the school’s application for Erasmus+ accreditation for Vocational Education and Training (VET) has been approved. Erasmus+ is the EU program for education, training, youth, and sport, facilitating cooperation between European educational institutions.
- This is a milestone that gives our staff new opportunities for professional development and international exchange of experiences, says an extremely pleased Rector Aage Alexander Foss.
📷: Jeanette L. Bækkevold.
Competence Development Through Staff Mobility
The accreditation grants Noroff Vocational School access to the Erasmus+ mobility program, initially focusing on staff mobility. This allows the school's teachers and staff to participate in exchanges, courses, and job shadowing with European partner institutions, which will strengthen both their professional competence and internal networks.
The school’s Erasmus+ team consists of Erasmus+ Coordinator Ann-Elin Bjørnsen, Head of Competence Development Siri Rutlin Harildstad, and Head of Development and Internationalization Heidi Møller Strand.
- Through these mobility activities, our teachers will have the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and gain insight into how European colleagues approach professional development, labor market relevance, and pedagogy. We are already in the process of establishing new partnerships, and it’s an exciting time for us, shares Siri Rutlin Harildstad.
- Erasmus+ accreditation gives us more tools to invest in our staff. Through the mobility program, our teachers can develop professionally and build international networks, which ultimately benefits our students. This is a key investment for both individual employees and the school’s development, says Ann-Elin.
An Educational Application Process
The path to Erasmus+ accreditation has been both challenging and rewarding for Noroff Vocational School. To create the Erasmus+ plan, the school had to conduct a thorough analysis of the needs and strategies behind the mobility activities.
- The application process has been a great exercise in strategic planning. It has given us the opportunity to reflect on the school’s long-term goals and strengthened collaboration across departments. We received valuable feedback from Fagskolen Viken and Fagskolen in Rogaland, who already have experience with Erasmus+ and international partnerships," explains Ann-Elin.
Even though Noroff Vocational School’s staff is located across various campuses in Stavanger, Oslo, and Kristiansand, the team has worked closely together, both online and through in-person meetings.
She continues:
- We have had great communication along the way, and the application process has helped us get to know our Norwegian colleagues in higher vocational education better. This is a collaboration we truly value, and it has strengthened our network."
Strengthening the Academic Environment and Learning Pathways
- Erasmus+ gives us access to international perspectives and best practices from educational institutions across Europe, says Ann-Elin Bjørnsen.
Although the main focus of the Erasmus+ accreditation is staff mobility, students will also benefit from the experiences brought back to the school. New knowledge and international perspectives will enrich the teaching and help provide students with a more future-oriented and relevant educational offering.
- Erasmus+ gives us access to international perspectives and best practices from educational institutions across Europe. This enables us to offer an even more relevant and future-oriented education, explains Ann-Elin.
A Seal of Quality
Heidi Møller Strand, Head of Development and Internationalization at Noroff Vocational School, points out that receiving Erasmus+ accreditation is a recognition of Noroff’s strategic internationalization efforts, which opens up opportunities for more international collaborations.
- The accreditation provides the school with greater predictability in mobility projects and makes it easier to carry out international initiatives without needing detailed applications for each individual activity, explains Heidi.
Noroff Vocational School already offers internationalization opportunities through its 2+1 program, where students can build on their two-year vocational education with a bachelor’s year at a partner school abroad. Erasmus+ accreditation opens up even more collaborations and provides the school with additional opportunities on the international stage.
- The accreditation also allows employees to gain international experiences, which contribute to new perspectives in our educational offerings.
Rector Aage Alexander Foss concludes:
- This is an investment in the future. The accreditation not only provides us with more opportunities but also a solid platform for development and networking. We look forward to fully utilizing the opportunities Erasmus+ offers in the years ahead, concludes Foss.
