Faroese health school introduces flexible training to address staff shortages in elderly care

A new training programme from the Faroese Health School (Heilsuskúla Føroya) will help address the severe shortage of skilled workers in elderly care, according to the Association of Faroese Municipalities (Kommunufelagið). The programme will offer partial in-person instruction in Tórshavn alongside remote learning, reports Kringvarp Føroya.

Tórbjørn Jacobsen, chair of Kommunufelagið and former minister of culture, stated that the location of the health school in Suðuroy should not be a decisive factor in training opportunities. He emphasised the urgency of expanding the workforce in elderly care.

However, the new programme does not fully meet the needs of all prospective students. Arnleyg Tungá, who wishes to study at the health school, cannot travel to Suðuroy for training. While the hybrid model offers some flexibility, she had hoped for a solution that would eliminate the need to travel entirely and allow for extended study periods.

The health school’s initiative comes as municipalities face growing demand for qualified staff in elderly care facilities across the Faroe Islands.