Work, inclusion and competence

Our research focuses on welfare-to-work approaches in Norwegian labour and welfare policies, highlighting the labour market situation of various groups. The research group is engaged in a wide range of projects concerning inclusion and exclusion in the Norwegian labour market.

Central questions

• What characterises a well-functioning labour market?

• How can the development and management of human resources be facilitated?

Central topics for research

• Labour market inclusion

People with disabilities, elderly employees, long-time social benefit recipients, and immigrants/refugees are groups that risk exclusion from working life. We study the agreement for an inclusive labour market and corporate social responsibility.

• Immigration and integration

We have evaluated the introductory programmes and other integration measures, examining how education and competence development can serve to promote integration, and asking whether it is hampered by conditions in working life. We have studied the living conditions of immigrants, and examined the way kindergartens, schools, and organisations deal with children, young people, and women with an ethnic minority background.

• Retirement

We study older employees at the municipal levels, and look into the importance of pensions for their income.

• Qualifying, competence, and further education

We evaluate a national reform on lifelong learning (“the competence reform”) and study the functioning of the Norwegian competence market. We study opportunities for learning in working life (the learning conditions monitor), and analyze participation in further education. We assess competence development for teachers and trainers. We evaluate the implementation of the newest school reform (“The Knowledge Promotion“).

Research Director

Hanne C. Kavli, tel +47 22088727, mail

Head of Research

Anne Britt Djuve, tel +47 22088713, mail

Researchers

Marianne Dæhlen
Jon Horgen Friberg
Anna Hagen
Hilde Haualand
Torgeir Nyen
Miriam Latif Sandbæk
Kristian Rose Tronstad
Odd Bjørn Ure

Line Kjelsaas (student)
Ole-Anders Stensen (student)

Partners, Networks, and Joint Projects

Lifelong Learning 2010. Towards a Lifelong Learning Society in Europe: The Contribution of the Education System. Fafo participates in this five-year projects coordinated by the pedagogical university in Tallinn. Financed by The Research Council of Norway

Fafo has contributed to projects within The 5th EU Framework Programme: LearnPartner – new strategies for life-long learning (2005 – 2010)

Learnpartner. Competence challenges for the European steel and metal industry

Eurone&t. Cooperation with BETA -Céreq Alsace

Ongoing projects (in Norwegian)