A record number of girls applied for boy-dominated education programs in Norway this year

Never before have so many girls applied for the boy-dominated education programs of building and civil engineering, and technology and industry subjects as this year. 

In 2012, only 4% of applicants for building and civil engineering were girls. In technology and industry, the proportion of girls was 12%. 

This year, the proportion of girls is 10% and 16% of the applicants, respectively, the Ministry of Education wrote in a press release.

“It is incredibly pleasing to see that more girls now want to take educations that boys have traditionally dominated. I think more girls have become interested in these programs, and that they see that not only boys apply there,” Minister of Education and Integration Guri Melby (V) said.

“This shows that politicians do not have to control details and establish additional point schemes, quota schemes, and everything else. Boys and girls apply for good educational programs if they want to. Our task is to ensure good quality of study opportunities and a good labor market, so the young people can choose as they wish,” Roy Steffensen, the leader of the education and research committee, told news bureau NTB.

Vocational subjects

In recent years, about half of the students starting upper secondary school applied for vocational subjects. This year, the proportion is just over half – 51%. There are 1,000 more applicants for vocational subjects compared with university applicants.

“This government has for several years focused on vocational subjects, and it gives results. More apply for vocational subjects, more get an apprenticeship, and more complete and get the certificate. It is important for the individual, but also for Norway,” Melby said.

Teacher position

The number of applicants also shows that 21,600 applied for an apprenticeship this year, which is an increase of 900 applicants compared to last year’s number. These are students who have applied for an apprenticeship as their first choice.

“The corona pandemic has made it more difficult to get an apprenticeship, which is why the government has introduced a number of measures aimed at apprentices and apprenticeships that are particularly hard hit,” the Minister of Education said. 

Among other things, the government will provide NOK 170 million for the extraordinary increase in the apprenticeship grant in the spring of 2021; the stimulus grant for apprentices will be NOK 100 million; and NOK 150 million will be given for trade certificates, which is an extended offer for students who do not get an apprenticeship.

Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayEducation

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