Fagskolen Viken

What Fagskolen Viken does

Fagskolen Viken is Norway's largest public higher vocational college (fagskole), formed in 2020 through the merger of Fagskolen Tinius Olsen, Fagskolen i Østfold, and Fagskolen i Oslo og Akershus, with roots dating to 1895. The institution operates approximately 2,000 students and 240 staff across eight permanent campuses in Kongsberg, Fredrikstad, Drammen, Kjeller, Gauldal, Geilo, Indre Østfold, and Oslo, plus several decentralized campuses, serving working adults, vocational graduates seeking fagskoleingeniør qualifications, NAV-referred job seekers, and industry partners across health, technical, tourism, business, and early childhood subject areas. Its core technology infrastructure includes the SIM-senteret, an NVIDIA e-GPU data center with sandbox environment opened at Kongsberg in June 2026 for AI and cybersecurity training, and a fully digitalized Industry 4.0 lab that feeds production data into applied machine-learning coursework. Programmes are delivered in campus-based, online (Teams and Zoom), and hybrid formats with module-level flexibility, and the institution holds NOKUT subject area accreditation in health, technical subjects, economics/administration/logistics, and oppvekst.

The institution is publicly funded by three county-municipality owners (Akershus, Buskerud, and Østfold fylkeskommuner) and operates as a government state entity under Norwegian law. Tuition is free, with annual student fees of 1,700 or 850 NOK depending on campus welfare-organization status, while Industrifagskolen modules are fully subsidized through government branch programmes. Revenue is generated primarily through public appropriations and project-specific government grants (cumulative disclosed awards of approximately 70 million NOK between 2021 and 2026), with curriculum co-developed alongside industry partners such as Norsk Hydro, Sykehuset Østfold, Kongsberg Gruppen, USN, and University College Northern Denmark. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer: prospective students apply via Samordna opptak for full programmes or via local admission for individual modules, supported by NAV referrals, open days, social media, news-media coverage, and events such as Arendalsuka and Kongsberg Agenda. The institution also operates Senter for Erfaringsbasert Læring (SEL), one of two national Centers for Higher Vocational Education Excellence, and runs the DIRTT pan-European trail-building consortium.

Name

Fagskolen Viken

Legal name

Fagskolen Viken

Website

https://fagskolen-viken.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Fagskolen Viken is Norway's largest public higher vocational college, serving approximately 2,000 students and 240 staff across eight campuses with NOKUT-accredited programmes in health, technical, business, and childhood education. It is publicly funded by three county municipalities and co-develops curriculum with industry partners including NAV, Norsk Hydro, and Kongsberg Gruppen.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Vocational Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Strategy, Consulting & General Management Institutes (EDAHAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Quality, Process Improvement & Lean/Six Sigma Certifications (EDAAANAC), Short-Term Certificate & Micro-Credential Programs (International) (EDAIAIAI)

Keywords

• Higher vocational education
• Vocational college programmes
• Professional upskilling courses
• Healthcare continuing education
• Technical vocational training

Headquarters

HQ city

Kongsberg

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Fagskolen Viken is publicly funded through its owners: Akershus, Buskerud, and Østfold county municipalities (Akershus fylkeskommune). The core tuition is free, funded by public subsidies.
2. Annual Student Fee: An annual student fee is charged to cover student welfare services and membership in ONF (Organisasjonen for Norske Fagskolestudenter). Rates: 1700 kr per year for campuses with a student welfare organization (samskipnad), or 850 kr per year for campuses without. Studies funded through Industrifagskolen are free with no student fee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Fagskolen Viken is a public higher vocational college that delivers tuition-free, NOKUT-accredited programmes in health, technical subjects, AI and cybersecurity, battery technology, tourism, leadership, and childhood development across eight campuses in Eastern Norway. It offers flexible study formats (full-time, part-time, online, hybrid with physical gatherings) and short modular courses through Industrifagskolen, all developed in close collaboration with industry and the labour market to align directly with employer competence needs.

Product overview

Fagskolen Viken operates as a multi-campus higher vocational college offering over 2000 students and 240 staff across eight campuses a comprehensive portfolio of vocational education programs. The institution's product portfolio spans five main program areas: Health (helsefag) providing continuing education and specialized programs for healthcare professionals; Technical subjects including AI and cybersecurity through its SIM-senteret facility, battery technology (Batterifagskolen), and industrial programs; Tourism and hospitality; Leadership and management; and Youth development (oppvekstfag). The college also operates Industrifagskolen for short, flexible industry-specific courses, and Senter for Erfaringsbasert Læring (SEL) as a national center for pedagogical innovation. Programs are delivered through full-time, part-time, campus-based, and online formats using Teams and Zoom platforms, with module-based offerings allowing students to take individual courses or complete full degrees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Senter for Erfaringsbasert Læring (SEL): Center for Experience-Based Learning - one of two national centers designated as Senter for Fremragende Høyere Yrkesfaglig Utdanning, established January 2023.
• Batterifagskolen
• Industrifagskolen
• SIM-senteret

Products and services

• Helsefag (Health Studies) Comprehensive health education programmes including observation and assessment competence, clinical health work, medical operations, mental health and substance abuse work, elderly care, intensive care, and rehabilitation specialization, aimed at healthcare workers seeking further qualifications.
• SIM-senteret (SIM Center for AI and Cybersikkerhet) training programmes Education delivered through a dedicated data center and AI/cybersecurity training facility featuring NVIDIA GPU infrastructure, sandbox environments for testing AI and cybersecurity safely, supporting studies in applied machine learning and data analytics.
• Industrifagskolen (Industrial Vocational School) short courses Short, module-based vocational education offerings for industry workers, developed in collaboration with the business sector to provide flexible upskilling opportunities, free for participants and funded through government branch programmes.
• Batterifagskolen (Battery Vocational School) Norway's first battery technology study programme for skilled workers, addressing the growing battery and electric vehicle industry.
• Mountain Bike Trail Planning, Construction and Maintenance Europe's first mountain bike trail building education, preparing students for sustainable trail construction and maintenance.
• Observasjons- og vurderingskompetanse i helsetjenesten Continuing education for healthcare workers in systematic observation, assessment, and documentation of patient health conditions, consisting of six 10-credit modules.
• Fagskoleutdanning i intensivpleie (Intensive Care Nursing) Norway's first vocational college programme in intensive care nursing for healthcare professionals.
• Baker- og konditorfaget (Bakery and Confectionery Crafts) Norway's first vocational college programme in bakery and confectionery crafts.
• Innovasjon- og intraprenørskap for bygg og industri 60-credit programme developed with industry partners to train intrapreneurs who can drive innovation within existing construction and industrial companies.
• Oppvekstfag (Childhood and Youth Development Education) Education programmes in pedagogy, special needs education, communication, and child development for employees in kindergartens, schools, SFO (after-school care), and other services for children and young people.

Quantifiable outcome

• 38% increase in applicant numbers
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NAV (Norsk arbeidsgiver- og velferdsetat) – Vest-Viken og Øst-VikencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Fagskolen Viken signed Norway's first-ever cooperation agreement between NAV (the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration) and a vocational college. The agreement aims to give more people the opportunity to take education and enter employment. NAV Vest-Viken, NAV Øst-Viken, and Fagskolen Viken will develop offerings that make it easier for more people to complete education and gain stable attachment to the labor market. The parties will work closer with employers to ensure education meets real needs.
• Senter for Erfaringsbasert Læring (SEL) PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Senter for Erfaringsbasert Læring (Center for Experience-Based Learning) is one of two national Centers for Higher Vocational Education Excellence. It was established with support from the Directorate for Higher Education and Competence and works with partners including Fagskolen Innlandet, Høyskolen for yrkesfag (HØFY), University College Northern Denmark (UCN), Viken County Municipality, Sykehuset Østfold Helseforetak, and Norsk Hydro. The center develops and offers further education for sector employees.
• Fagskolene Oslandet (Østlandet Vocational College Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFagskolene Oslandet is a collaboration between the four vocational colleges on the Østlandet (Eastern Norway) region: Fagskolen Innlandet, Fagskolen Oslo, Fagskolen Vestfold og Telemark, and Fagskolen Viken, plus Høyskolen for yrkesfag (HØFY). The collaboration facilitates knowledge sharing and joint initiatives across the regional vocational college sector.
• Kongsberg GruppenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKongsberg Gruppen collaborates with Fagskolen Viken on events and initiatives such as Kongsberg Agenda, which draws top executives and policymakers to the Kongsberg campus. The collaboration supports the establishment of specialized centers like the SIM Center for AI and cybersecurity.
• Norsk HydrominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorsk Hydro is listed as a partner of Senter for Erfaringsbasert Læring, contributing to the center's mission of advancing higher vocational education and competence development in collaboration with industry.
• Sykehuset Østfold HelseforetakminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSykehuset Østfold Helseforetak (Østfold Hospital Trust) is a partner of Senter for Erfaringsbasert Læring, collaborating on healthcare education and competence development for the health sector.
• University College Northern Denmark (UCN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner of Senter for Erfaringsbasert Læring, contributing to cross-border knowledge sharing and collaboration in higher vocational education.
• Viken Fylkeskommune (Viken County Municipality)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerViken County Municipality is a partner of Senter for Erfaringsbasert Læring and also serves as the governing authority (owner) of Fagskolen Viken. Provides strategic and financial support for the school's operations and development.
• Norsk Industri, Byggnæringens Landsforening, Borg Plast-Net, Eker Group, MedTech Fredrikstad, Ungt Entreprenørskap Viken, Blender CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThese industry organizations collaborated with Fagskolen Viken in developing the 'Innovasjon og intraprenørskap for bygg og industri' (Innovation and Intrapreneurship for Construction and Industry) study programme. Each organization contributed industry-specific knowledge and requirements to ensure the programme meets real business needs.
• Industrifagskolen (Industrial Vocational College)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrifagskolen is a specialized unit within Fagskolen Viken offering short, module-based education programmes for industrial workers. Funded through government branch programmes (bransjeprogrammer), these programmes are free for participants and developed in close collaboration with industry to address immediate competence needs.
• Høgskolen i Sørøst-Norge (USN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity College of South-Eastern Norway (USN) and Fagskolen Viken collaborate on a new study site for health sciences in Drammen, expanding educational offerings in the region.
• Erasmus+ Mobility PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFagskolen Viken has sent students on internships to France, Denmark, and the Canary Islands through Erasmus+, with ongoing arrangements for internships in Portugal, Rotterdam (Hogeschool Rotterdam), and Greece. The school holds both VET and ECHE Erasmus+ charters enabling broad international mobility.
• Fontenehuset KongsbergminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFagskolen Viken entered a collaboration with Fontenehuset Kongsberg to support mental health and inclusion. The cooperation aims to create inclusion in society and provide educational pathways for people who have been outside the workforce.
• Fredrikstad Næringsråd (Fredrikstad Chamber of Commerce)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFagskolen Viken and Fredrikstad Næringsråd collaborate to strengthen competence in the region, working together on educational offerings that address local business needs.
• DIRTT Consortium (Developing Intereuropean Resources for Trailbuilding Training)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA pan-European collaboration of 13 partners across 8 countries led by Fagskolen Viken, developing professional trail building skills and supporting Europe's green transition. Funded through Erasmus+, the project has launched Europe's first dedicated trail building education and a continent-wide certification system.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University: Large Norwegian state university with broad health, engineering, and professional programmes. Competes for the same Eastern Norway applicant pool and overlaps on health and early childhood education offerings.
• NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology): Norway's largest technical university, offering broad engineering and technology programmes including AI, cybersecurity, and battery-related research. Operates at a larger scale and degree level but competes for the same student interest in technical subjects.

Direct peers

• Fagskolen Oslo: Public fagskole based in Oslo and partner in the Fagskolene Oslandet network. Offers higher vocational education across health, technical, and creative disciplines, competing directly for the same Eastern Norway student pool.
• Fagskolen Innlandet: Norwegian public vocational college and fellow member of the Fagskolene Oslandet collaboration. Operates higher vocational programmes across similar technical, health, and business areas, serving adjacent geographies in inland Eastern Norway.
• Høyskolen for yrkesfag (HØFY): Higher vocational institution and the fifth member of the Fagskolene Oslandet network. Focused on professional/vocational education and closely aligned with Fagskolen Viken on programme development and industry engagement.
• Fagskolen Vestfold og Telemark: Regional public fagskole covering Vestfold and Telemark counties, also part of the Fagskolene Oslandet collaboration. Provides comparable higher vocational programmes in technical, health, and business fields within the same broader Eastern Norway region.
• University of South-Eastern Norway (USN): Norwegian state university college that collaborates with Fagskolen Viken on health programmes at the Drammen study site. Offers overlapping health and technical education at higher education level, with a broader academic portfolio.

Others

• NHH Norwegian School of Economics: Norway's leading business school offering graduate management education. Not a direct competitor, but represents a higher-tier academic alternative for the management/leadership segment of Fagskolen Viken's portfolio.

Regional players

• University College of Northern Denmark (UCN): Danish professional higher education institution and listed partner in Senter for Erfaringsbasert Læring. Provides comparable applied and vocational programmes in Denmark and enables cross-Nordic collaboration.
• Aalto University: Finnish multidisciplinary university with strong technical and professional programmes. Comparable Nordic higher education institution serving an adjacent geography and competing for cross-border student and staff mobility through Erasmus+.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/fagskoleniviken
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/fagskolenviken
• Instagraminstagram.com/fagskolenviken

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fagskolen Viken