The creation of a Norwegian pilot network for apprentice mobility in Eastern Norway with the necessary partners and actors was the main objective of the project. This network was then connected to the existing German network. By establishing this mobility network, companies, apprentices and young skilled workers will have a contact point for advice and assistance in organizing and implementing mobility projects.
Norway has had an increased focus on cooperation with Germany due to the importance of the country as a trading partner. Vocational education and training is an area that is strongly related to this, and closer cooperation between Norway and Germany in this area is of national interest. The German-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce had been in contact with various stakeholders concerning how to increase apprentice mobility and VET cooperation between Norway and Germany. In these talks, the improvement of the efficiency and simplification of the process of finding an internship in Norway was discussed. Germany has a network for apprentice mobility, “Training without Borders”. A similar network in Norway, connected to the already existing German network, was identified as a way of enabling effective dissemination/forwarding of requests for mobilities in both directions. The needs addressed by the project included: - Companies’ needs for knowledge and capacity for enabling apprentice mobilities. - Ensuring a qualified workforce through practical training in the workplace and exchange of experience with Germany. - Apprentices’/companies need for adapting to an international labor market - Improving the quality of education and training