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Fagskolen Diakonova

Fagskolen Diakonova provides higher vocational education in health, leadership, logistics, and accounting. The school aims to increase access to qualifications for employment in the health and care sector – both for individuals seeking further education and for those currently outside the labor market.

Student from the study program Active Care for Older Adults with Health Challenges/Dementia.

Educational Needs in the Healthcare Sector

The Norwegian healthcare sector is facing several educational challenges, including the need to train more people within the workforce and develop competencies that keep pace with technological advancements and shifting patient needs. There is a strong demand for attracting and upskilling professionals to meet rising expectations.

Growth and Development

Fagskolen Diakonova launched its educational offerings in autumn 2023, starting with 30 study places in the “Active Care for the Elderly” program. As of January 1, 2025, more than 800 students from the former Folkeuniversitetet Vocational School will be integrated into Fagskolen Diakonova, significantly increasing its student base.

Another initiative is the HYUFLY project, which aims to integrate refugees into Norwegian society. By combining tailored vocational education in health sciences with targeted language training and supervised work placement, the project has achieved strong results.

Values and Ownership

Fagskolen Diakonova has a diaconal and values-based profile, with a strong focus on inclusion and social responsibility. The school is accredited by NOKUT and is owned by Stiftelsen Diakonhjemmet, Stiftelsen Diakonova Haraldsplass, and Ferd AS, through Fagskolen Diakonova Holding AS. The merged institution will offer 20 educational programs across 13 locations.

Ferd Social Entrepreneurs has been involved since the very beginning, primarily contributing at the board level. We were also involved in the merger with Folkeuniversitetets Fagskole (2024, effective from 2025).

Impact Performance 2025

617

Persons who completed a study programme during the year

876

Number of students who started a study programme during the year

73%

Overall satisfaction with the study programme

80%

Student satisfaction with the social and academic learning environment

How the figures were sourced:

The Student Satisfaction Survey (Studiebarometer) is a national survey for all vocational colleges in Norway, aimed at providing information about study quality in the vocational college sector. The survey gives an overview of students’ perceptions of the quality of the educational offering, including aspects such as the study and learning environment, teaching, supervision, relevance to working life, motivation, study effort and expectations.

NOKUT has handed over responsibility for conducting the Studiebarometer for vocational colleges to the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills as of 2025. In connection with the handover, and the need to make changes to the survey, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills has postponed the implementation of the Studiebarometer from spring 2025 to spring 2026. This has resulted in additional work and responsibility for the vocational colleges.

Fagskolen Diakonova has developed a parallel survey that attempts to cover all the points previously addressed by the Studiebarometer.

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