About
I am an Assistant Professor at the Department of Vocational Teacher Education, where I teach professional and vocational subjects and serve as a course coordinator on the bachelor’s programme in Vocational Teacher Education. I also supervise students on the master’s programme in Vocational Pedagogy and have experience of both online and campus-based teaching.
I have worked at the department since 2021 and was a PhD candidate from September 2023 to August 2026. My doctoral project was entitled From Unskilled Worker to Skilled Worker: A Qualitative Study of Adult Practice-Candidates’ Journeys towards a Trade Certificate. The study was based on interviews with adults who were using, or had recently used, the scheme to obtain a trade certificate as a cleaning operator, professional driver or healthcare worker. The aim was to develop new knowledge about how adults who had not previously completed upper secondary education learned in the workplace through formal and informal learning.
My professional background is in the automotive industry. I hold trade and master craftsman’s certificates in light vehicle mechanics, as well as a trade certificate in the spare parts trade. I have also completed higher vocational education in workshop management, vocational teacher education and a master’s degree in Vocational Pedagogy. In addition, I have extensive experience of teaching vocational subjects in upper secondary education.
My academic interests include at-risk youth, adult learning, school dropout and the use of student enterprises in vocational education and training. I also undertake external assignments within my areas of expertise. In recent years, I have carried out assignments for Cappelen Damm, Junior Achievement Norway, Oslo Education Agency, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), the Norwegian Correctional Service, the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK). I am the subject editor for Technology and Industrial Production at the Great Norwegian Encyclopedia (Store norske leksikon), a member of the trade examination board for the spare parts trade in Østfold County Municipality, and a peer reviewer for SJVD and IJRVET.
Field of study
Learning in a sociocultural perspective Multicultural learning environment Professional identity Formative assessment Lifelong learning Drop-out Vocational pedagogic Vocational education Vocational course Fag og yrkesopplæring Assesment Formative assessment vocational specialization
Research groups
Research projects
Completed research projects
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From Unskilled to Skilled workers – Adults Obtaining a Trade Certificate through the Practice Candidate Scheme
PhD project exploring how adults without upper secondary education learn their trade, develop a vocational identity, and obtain a trade certificate through the Norwegian practice candidate scheme.
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Staying on Track – completion in vocational education and training
A longitudinal interview study following vocational students with low grades from lower secondary education through upper secondary vocational education and training (VET).
Publications and research
Scientific publications
Gilberg, Arnfinn
;
Schmid, Evi
; Andersson, Per
(2026).
Faglig trygghet gjennom refleksjon på arbeidsplassen: En kvalitativ studie blant voksne som tar fagbrev gjennom praksiskandidatordningen.
Nordisk tidsskrift for utdanning og praksis.
Vol. 20.
https://doi.org/10.23865/up.v20.7335
Gilberg, Arnfinn
(2024).
Du blir litt sånn selvsikker, og tenker at ‹wow› noen vil faktisk sende bilen til oss! Ungdomsbedrift som virkemiddel for en opplevd relevant skolehverdag.
Skandinavisk tidsskrift for yrker og profesjoner i utvikling - SJVD.
Vol. 9.
https://doi.org/10.7577/sjvd.4999
