2001- :

Member of the Storting for Sogn og Fjordane County

1990-1995:

Deputy member of the Storting for Sogn og Fjordane County with a seat in the Storting

1976:

Cand.philol. degree in sociology, history and Nordic studies

1976:

Institute of Teacher Training

2000-2001:

Adviser, Botnaneset Industriselskap AS

1998-2000:

County director of education, Sogn og Fjordane County

1979-1990.

Teacher, Flora Upper Secondary School

1977-1979:

Research assistant, University of Bergen

2001-2005 :

Member of the Standing Committee on Local Government

1992-1995:

Member of the Standing Committee on Finance

1990-1992:

Member of the Standing Committee on Shipping and Fisheries

2001-2005:

Deputy member of the Norwegian Delegation to the EFTA and EEA Parliamentary Committees

1993-1995:

Deputy member of the Norwegian Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

Labour Party whip

1995-1997:

Minister of Education, Research and Church Affairs

1987-1990:

Member of the Sogn og Fjordane County Executive Board

1983-1987:

Member of the Sogn og Fjordane County Council

1978-1985:

Member of the Broadcasting Council

1992-1995, 2001- :

Chairman of the Flora Labour Party

1981-1983:

Member of the board of the Sogn og Fjordane Labour Party

1980-1983:

Chairman of the Flora labour league

1977-1978:

Chairman of the Bergen Workers’ Society

1977:

Member of the board of the Hordaland Labour Party

1969-1970:

Member of the board of the Møre og Romsdal Labour Party

1969-1970:

Chairman of the Møre og Romsdal Labour Youth League

1966-1968:

Chairman of the Volda Labour Youth League