Completion time is a weak metric for vocational colleges The authors note that measuring program completion within a normed timeframe fails to capture the sector’s flexible, part‑time pathways; they argue that tracking study‑credit production over time offers a more relevant performance indicator [1].
Only about 20 % of 2023 applicants used Samordna opptak HK‑dir’s own data show just over 60 000 applicants to the fagskole sector in 2023, while publicly available figures record roughly 13 500 applications through the centralized Samordna opptak system, indicating that the majority apply via other routes [3][4].
Many schools run parallel local admissions The piece explains that institutions formally linked to Samordna opptak often conduct separate local admissions because the national system does not accommodate their specific programmes or applicant patterns, further skewing official statistics [1].
Historical SSB data merged vocational and secondary education Past Statistics Norway (SSB) series combined fagskole enrolments with upper secondary figures, complicating long‑term trend analysis; recent SSB releases now separate data by age, gender, field, length and ownership, improving clarity [2].
HK‑dir now oversees the Studiebarometeret The authors welcome HK‑dir’s new responsibility for the sector’s study barometer, emphasizing that incorporating stakeholder input should make the survey better reflect actual student populations and study models [1].
Accurate statistics are essential for policy and media The authors stress that reliance on non‑representative metrics risks creating narratives the sector does not recognise, urging that measurement tools align with current vocational‑college realities to guide legitimate decision‑making [1].