Norwegian carpentry faces critical shortage as industry struggles to attract new talent

Norwegian woodworking companies are facing a critical shortage of newly trained carpenters, with carpentry ranked among the top ten occupations in demand according to the national labor agency, Nav. Anna Regine Vada Blom, a 23-year-old carpenter, is actively working to draw more people into the trade by serving as a carpenter ambassador. The Norwegian Woodworking Association emphasizes the need for more practical subjects in primary education to stimulate interest in vocational training. Last year, only six schools across Norway offered a woodworking program.

Blom currently works at Rovde Møbel & Design where she creates interiors for ships, businesses, and homes. She reflects on how little emphasis was placed on vocational paths during her own schooling, expressing a desire for more recognition of carpentry as a viable career.

Despite the increasing number of young people choosing vocational education, the woodworking industry is grappling with a significant skilled labor shortage. Predictions indicate Norway may face a deficit of nearly 90,000 skilled workers by 2035. Hilde Widerøe Wibe, the association’s director, notes that many companies have an aging workforce and struggle to find qualified carpenters.

Efforts to promote vocational training at schools have encountered challenges due to insufficient student interest. The situation is described as alarming, with companies increasingly recognizing the need for practical skills among youth.

In response to this, the government recently launched an initiative to enhance practical learning in schools, which includes increased funding for better educational resources. The Minister of Knowledge, Kari Nessa Nordtun, acknowledges that the educational system has been too theory-driven and is working to shift towards a more hands-on approach to learning.