The matter in summary: More girls are applying for technology and industrial subjects, and Raufoss upper secondary school has seen an increase in the number of female applicants for its TAF line. Despite the increase, girls make up only 20% of all pupils at the TAF line, which reflects national figures. The national recruitment project “Girls and technology” works to increase the proportion of women in technology, among other things by meeting up to 10,000 girls a year through various events and the use of role models. Raufoss upper secondary school has also taken measures to attract more girls, among other things by disproving prejudices about what industrial subjects entail. TAF students are sought after in the industry, and receive both professional certificates and special study skills with specialization in mathematics and physics after four years. HR director at Nammo Raufoss, Torkel Aass, emphasizes that it is important for the entire industry to recruit more girls and women. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – We do it just as well as the guys. There is no difference between them, says Ella Sandvik. – It is only positive to bring in more girls, and it is very good to have a varied working environment, adds Mille Lønhaug Huset. The two girls and Maria Grønstad are three out of five girls in the third year of the technology and industrial subject (TAF) at Raufoss upper secondary school. This year, a total of eleven girls applied for the TAF line at Raufoss. In comparison, there was one female applicant ten years ago. Photo: Julie Monica Borgen / news Over several years, efforts have been made to recruit more girls to the education, and this year a record number of girls applied for the program at Raufoss. What is TAF? TAF technology and industrial subjects is a unique upper secondary school offer, which is not offered in many places in Norway. After four years, you get both a certificate and special study skills with specialization in mathematics and physics. Three days a week you have theoretical training at school, and the rest of the week you are out working in a company. The purpose of the TAF course is to train future engineers and managers within the industry. Despite record high numbers of applicants, the girls at Raufoss make up only 20 per cent of all students on the TAF line. Only one in six are girls. Similar figures can also be found nationally. Although more apply to the boy-dominated subject, only every sixth student is a girl. Below is an overview of how many girls study technology and industrial subjects. The figures apply to both those taking the ordinary vocational course, and the TAF/YSK variants, which are a mixture of vocational subjects and study skills. Meets 10,000 girls a year Amalie Skaiå Larsen is project coordinator in the national recruitment project “Girls and technology”. The purpose of the project is to increase the proportion of women in technology. Amalie Skaiå Larsen, project coordinator in Girls and technology, believes it is important that more girls dare to choose non-traditional. Photo: Moment StudioAmalie Skaiå Larsen, project coordinator in Girls and technology, believes it is important that more girls dare to choose non-traditional. Photo: Moment Studio One of the steps they take is to meet up to 10,000 girls a year through various events. Here they focus on breaking down information to make it more understandable and interesting. – Most of the girls we meet in the course of a year are surprised by the opportunities that exist, and all the ways into technology, she says. She adds that the arrows are moving in the right direction when it comes to the numbers of applicants for higher education and upper secondary education. – But it is going slowly, and therefore there is still a need to work actively to increase the proportion of women in these industries. – Diversity is important Head of department at Raufoss upper secondary school, Tonje Sivesindtajet, is one of those who have worked to promote girls in industry. – We see that diversity is important and we see that girls do something with the whole in an industry, says Sivesindtajet and adds: – That is why it is important to show that we do not recruit from only 50 per cent of the population. Tonje Sivesindtajet is passionate about getting more girls into the industry. Photo: Sophie Remman Karlsen / news One of the measures they have taken to recruit more girls is to disprove prejudices about what industrial subjects entail. – We have invited mothers and daughters to visit to show what the industry actually is, and that it is not as dirty and black as many may have previously thought. More than just practical Ella, Maria and Mille say that the theoretical part can be difficult. – We all quite agree that science subjects are quite difficult, says Mille Lønhaug Huset. But this also gives them great opportunities. At the learning factory in Raufoss industrial park, students get to use modern machines and equipment. Photo: Julie Monica Borgen / news After four years with TAF, you get both a vocational certificate and special study skills with specialization in mathematics and physics. – If you get through and get good grades, you have a lot of opportunities after you finish the course, says Ella Sandvik. In demand According to the Norwegian Business Association (NHO), girls who study technology and industrial subjects are very much in demand. HR director at Nammo Raufoss, Torkel Aass, confirms that this also applies to their company. TAF students’ unique educational paths make them extra valuable to Nammo. – The combination of vocational subjects and further education means that they have a completely unique understanding of the practice of engineering, says Aass. Torkel Aass, HR director at Nammo Raufoss believes that TAF students are very valuable to the industry. Photo: Line Bjerkengen He also emphasizes how important the TAF students are to the company. – TAF is particularly important to Nammo. Many of the most motivated students go here. Admission requirements are strict and there is great competition for places. Great need for more girls The HR director is positive that efforts are being made to recruit more girls for vocational subjects and industry. – It is very good and important for the entire industrial family in and outside Raufoss. Nammo has a great need for both expertise and more girls and women, he says. Published 11.12.2024, at 05.54
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