Nordland fagskole

What Nordland fagskole does

Nordland fagskole is a publicly owned Norwegian higher vocational college (høyere yrkesfagskole) operated by Nordland fylkeskommune. It delivers accredited one- to two-year vocational programs and shorter industry courses across nine study locations in Nordland county, serving roughly 550 students with approximately 65 FTE staff. Core program areas are maritime studies (deck and engine officer training), healthcare, tourism and experience management, electrical engineering (Elkraft), and technical media production, with the Industrifagskolen unit providing short-cycle industry courses.

The school's revenue model is dominated by direct appropriations from Nordland fylkeskommune and related state grants; tuition is not charged, and students pay only a nominal semester fee of 750 NOK per half-year. A secondary fee-for-service revenue line comes from maritime continuing-education courses such as the ROC refresher priced at 21,000 NOK, sold to industry buyers rather than degree-seeking students. The college sits within the NOKUT-accredited higher vocational framework and operates co-development partnerships with Nord Universitet, Kongsberg Maritime, NHO Reiseliv, and Trøndelag høyere yrkesfagskole, with Bodin videregående skole functioning as the principal student pipeline feeder.

In May 2025 Nordland fagskole became the first public fagskole in Norway to obtain ISO 21001 certification for educational-organization management. The same year it secured 2.5 million NOK in development funding and appointed Inge Holm as rector effective 1 August. It has announced a 2026 program expansion covering AI literacy, building automation, solar-cell installation, EKOM (telecommunications), and SRI (safety and risk instruction), and a sustainable camping-management program scheduled for January 2027.

Name

Nordland fagskole

Legal name

Nordland fagskole

Website

https://nordlandfagskole.no

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Nordland fagskole is a publicly owned Norwegian vocational college running nine sites across Nordland county, delivering NOKUT-accredited programs in maritime, healthcare, tourism, electrical, and media to roughly 550 students and industry clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bodø

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (Primary): As a public institution under Nordland County Municipality, Nordland fagskole is primarily funded through government appropriations. Students pay no tuition fees for the degree programs. The school charges a semester fee each half-year.
2. Semester Fees: Students pay a semester fee of 750 NOK per semester. Some programs such as Bærekraftige matopplevelser may have modest semester fees.
3. Maritime Continuing Education Courses: Lofoten Maritime offers fee-based continuing education courses including GOC, ROC, ECDIS, D5-D3, and Deck Officer Class 6 courses at commercial rates (e.g., ROC course at 21,000 NOK).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Nordland fagskole is a public vocational college delivering accredited higher vocational education (fagskolegrad) across maritime officer training, healthcare specializations, experience-based tourism, electrical power engineering, and technical media production. Programs are offered part-time, network-based, and gathering-based so working adults can study while employed, with no tuition for degree programs beyond a ~750 NOK semester fee. The institution also operates Industrifagskolen, a portfolio of free 5-credit short online courses for industry and construction workers, plus fee-based maritime continuing education certificates (GOC, ROC, ECDIS, Class 6 Deck Officer).

Product overview

Nordland fagskole is a public vocational college offering higher vocational education across five departments: Health, Social and Child Welfare; Experience-Based Tourism; Bodø Maritime; Lofoten Maritime; and Technical Studies. The institution provides 14 core study programs leading to fagskole degrees (30-120 credits), including maritime officer training, healthcare studies, tourism and experience management, electrical power engineering, and technical media production. Additionally, Industrifagskolen offers a portfolio of short 5-credit online courses for industry and construction workers, including new AI and building automation programs starting in 2026. Programs are designed for working professionals with flexible network and gathering-based formats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bodø Maritime: Maritime department of Nordland fagskole offering Deck Officer and Marine Engineer education, located at Mørkvedtråkket 2, Bodø.
• Lofoten Maritime
• Industrifagskolen
• Opplevelsesbasert reiseliv
• Helse, sosial og oppvekst

Products and services

• Adventure Guide Higher vocational study program providing knowledge and skills to lead safe nature experiences, including sea kayaking, ski instruction, trail cycling, and rafting, with safety training as a key component. Co-delivered with Trøndelag høyere yrkesfagskole.
• Bærekraftige Campingplasser - Utvikling og Drift Leadership program for the camping industry covering development and operations, co-developed with Norsk Turistutvikling and NHO Reiseliv camping sector. The first program of its kind in the Nordic countries.
• Bærekraftige matopplevelser Study program covering sustainable food experiences from field to fork, including Norwegian food production, culinary traditions, preservation techniques, nutrition and health, and sustainable culinary experience creation.
• Dekksoffiser (Deck Officer) STCW-compliant maritime education for deck officers (mates to captains, class D4 to D1) at Bodø and Lofoten Maritime, including GMDSS, advanced safety course (IMO 80), medical treatment (IMO 40), and polar code training.
• Eldre og livsmestring Specialized higher vocational study in elderly care and life mastery covering disease and health challenges in the elderly, diagnoses, medication, geriatrics, dementia, and person-centered approaches.
• Elkraft (Electrical Power) Network and gathering-based 120-credit study in electrical engineering covering power production, distribution, and consumption, leading to the title fagskoleingeniør and qualifying graduates for the installer exam and Ekom authorization.
• Helhetlig miljøarbeid Comprehensive environmental work study providing interdisciplinary competence in environmental work with a chosen professional specialization, focusing on organizing and implementing good environmental measures in health and social services.
• Maskinoffiser (Marine Engineering Officer) STCW-compliant marine engineering officer education (Machinery Chief and Machinist training) at Bodø Maritime, 120 credits full-time over 2 years, including IMO 80 safety course and qualifying students for M1, M2, M3, M4 certificates.
• Palliasjon Higher vocational palliative care education focused on active treatment, care and services for patients with serious and incurable disease, with emphasis on observation and relief of physical symptoms, psychological, social, and spiritual/existential needs.
• Psykisk helsearbeid og rusarbeid Higher vocational study in mental health work and substance abuse work providing interdisciplinary breadth and depth competence, with special emphasis on relational competence, communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, and user perspective.
• Reiseliv og opplevelser 60-credit network and gathering-based study over 2 years part-time covering sustainable tourism development, hospitality, experience design, innovation, entrepreneurship, and the tourism industry's organization and value creation.
• Teknisk medieproduksjon 90-credit practical education in technical media equipment and professional audiovisual production covering video production, live streaming, and multi-camera production, delivered part-time over 2 years with physical gatherings.
• Industrifagskolen (course portfolio) Portfolio of short, module-based online educational offerings for employees in industry and construction sectors. All offerings are 5 credits, flexible, free, and designed to fit busy schedules, including AI introduction, building automation, EKOM, solar energy, and SRI.
• Introduksjon til Kunstig Intelligens (Industrifagskolen) 5-credit online course introducing AI with focus on language models (ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude, Gemini), covering AI safety, ethics (GDPR, AI Act), phishing detection, and quality assurance of AI outputs.
• Byggautomasjon (Industrifagskolen) 5-credit online course providing introduction to building automation from basic concepts to modern solutions, covering communication, fieldbus technology, energy centers, ventilation, and system integration.
• Innføring solcelleanlegg (Industrifagskolen) 5-credit online course covering photovoltaic systems, regulations, components, and documentation; practical and vocational training in electricity production with solar cells.
• EKOM for elektrikere og montører (Industrifagskolen) 5-credit practical and vocational training in electronic communications (EKOM) covering EKOM networks, regulations, electromagnetic compatibility, cable types, radio technology, and documentation.
• SRI: Smartklarindikatoren (Industrifagskolen) 5-credit online course on the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI), the EU framework for measuring building intelligence, combining SRI and AI for smarter building design, operation, and value creation.
• Maritime Courses (GOC, ECDIS, ROC, D5-D3, Class 6) Fee-based maritime continuing education courses offered at Lofoten Maritime, including General Operator Certificate (GOC), ECDIS, D5-D3, Restricted Operator Certificate (ROC) at 21,000 NOK per course, and Deck Officer Class 6 courses.

Quantifiable outcome

• About 50% of companies in NHO Mat og Drikke, NHO Service og Handel, and NHO Reiseliv report need for employees with vocational college education (NHO Kompetansebarometer 2022)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nord Universitet (Bodø)coreTechnology or IntegrationBodø Maritime has networked its simulators with Nord Universitet, enabling joint exercises across institutions. This collaboration allows deck and engine operations to be coordinated simultaneously across the simulator platforms, creating realistic multi-ship and multi-function training scenarios not possible at a single institution.
• Kystradio Nord (formerly Bodø Radio)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Bodø Maritime's broader maritime collaboration network. Kystradio Nord contributes to the realistic training environment for maritime students.
• Torghatten and Torghatten NordminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian coastal shipping companies that are part of Bodø Maritime's maritime industry collaboration network, providing industry perspective and potential employment pathways for graduates.
• HurtigrutenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Bodø Maritime's maritime industry collaboration network. Hurtigruten represents a potential employer for maritime graduates.
• Hovedredningssentralen (Joint Rescue Coordination Centre)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Bodø Maritime's maritime industry collaboration network, contributing to maritime safety training and emergency response education.
• Maritimt Forum NordminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaritime industry forum for northern Norway that collaborates with Bodø Maritime on industry-relevant education and networking.
• Bodin videregående skolecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBodø Maritime is co-located with Bodin videregående skole on Mørkved. Bodin VGS offers Vg2 maritime programs (motormann and matros), and many of its graduates continue as fagskole students at Bodø Maritime. The school also shares safety training facilities through sikkerhetssenteret.
• Norsk TuristutviklingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorsk Turistutvikling co-developed the Bærekraftige Campingplasser – Utvikling og Drift program, ensuring the curriculum is grounded in industry needs and practice.
• NHO Reiseliv, avdeling campingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHO Reiseliv's camping division co-developed the Bærekraftige Campingplasser program and represents the camping industry's voice in ensuring the education meets professional standards.
• Nasjonal klynge for campingnæringen (National Cluster for Camping)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe national camping cluster co-developed the Bærekraftige Campingplasser program and ensures it is well anchored in the camping industry's needs, providing industry relevance and connections to practice.
• Trøndelag høyere yrkesfagskolecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNordland fagskole co-delivers the Adventure Guide program with Trøndelag høyere yrkesfagskole. Students apply through Samordna opptak selecting Trøndelag høyere yrkesfagskole. The program includes activities at study locations in both Svolvær and Oppdal.
• Studiesenter RKK VesterålenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudiesenter RKK Vesterålen collaborated with Nordland fagskole on the development and delivery of the 'Utvikling, lek og læring' competence development program for early childhood workers.
• Kristin Prøven (Mimir)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKristin Prøven from Mimir co-delivers the Bærekraftig helårig reiselivsutvikling i praksis course, bringing industry expertise to the professional development offering.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fagskolen i Hordaland: Norwegian higher vocational college offering technical, maritime, and health/social programs with part-time and gathering-based delivery, directly comparable to Nordland fagskole's format and target segments.
• Fagskolen i Oslo: Larger public fagskole in Oslo offering a comparable portfolio of vocational higher education programs including maritime, technical, and health/social disciplines within the same Norwegian accreditation framework.
• Fagskolen Vestland: Regional Norwegian fagskole offering higher vocational programs in technical, maritime, and health-related disciplines, competing for the same Samordna opptak student pool in a similar regulatory framework.
• Trøndelag høyere yrkesfagskole: A Norwegian higher vocational college (fagskole) and direct co-delivery partner on the Adventure Guide program. Operates in the same Norwegian higher vocational framework, targets similar working-adult student segments, and offers comparable applied/industry-aligned programs.
• Noroff: Norwegian higher vocational education provider offering applied programs including media production, technology, and creative disciplines — directly comparable to Nordland's Teknisk medieproduksjon program in audience and delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• Stord Maritime Academy (Høgskulen på Vestlandet): Established maritime education provider within a larger university college, offering STCW-aligned officer training that overlaps with Bodø Maritime's deck and engine officer programs, with broader portfolio reach.
• Aalesund Maritime Academy (NTNU): University-level maritime academy under NTNU producing certified maritime officers with degree programs that overlap Nordland's STCW-aligned offerings, though typically targeting a different (degree-track) student segment.

Others

• Yrkesskolenes fellesforbund / Norsk Fagskoleforening member schools: Industry association representing Norwegian fagskoler; member institutions collectively represent Nordland fagskole's peer set in policy advocacy and program standards, useful as a comparable benchmark group.
• Scandic Hotels (as employer/training partner reference): Major Nordic hospitality employer that publicly endorses Nordland fagskole tourism graduates; representative of the broader industry employer ecosystem the school serves through Reiseliv og opplevelser and related programs.
• Kongsberg Maritime (Training division): Supplier of K-Sim maritime simulators used by Nordland fagskole; also operates its own maritime training services globally, representing both an enabler and adjacent competitor in simulator-based maritime education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Fagskoleneinordland
• Instagraminstagram.com/nordlandfagskole
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nordland-fagskole

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Nordland fagskole