Welcome Hub Agder (WHA) is launching its Job Start Course in Kristiansand in April, marking the first time that the course will be held outside of Arendal.

The course is aimed at providing newcomers with the practical tools and resources that they need to succeed in today’s competitive job market. Industry professionals are also invited to share valuable insights and strategies for job searching, networking, and skill development.

With approximately 30 percent of participants from previous Job Start courses securing employment within three months of attending, WHA is confident that the course will also make an impact in other municipalities in the region.

"We’re thrilled to have met so many great talents living in Agder and supporting them to take confident steps toward their future careers. Hosting our Job Start Course in Kristiansand is the next logical step for us … we want to support job seekers throughout Agder and we’re excited about this."

- Megan Strand, CEO, WHA 

WHA’s first Job Start course for the year concluded in Arendal last week. Participants learnt:

• how to write a compelling CV and cover letter for a Norwegian employer
• what the interview process is like in Norway and how to ace that interview
• how to use LinkedIn for personal branding
• the importance of networking for internationals seeking jobs in Norway and strategies for effective networking
• the importance of managing emotional and mental challenges that come with job searching, including strategies to stay motivated and maintain a positive mindset throughout the job

One participant, Clara Joan Joaquim, had only been in Arendal for a week after moving from Malaysia, when she joined the course. She shared how Job Start equipped her with new strategies to stand out in the competitive Norwegian job market.

“I am currently refining my CV and LinkedIn profile based on the valuable insights shared by the speakers. They highlighted aspects of job hunting—particularly in the Norwegian job market—that I had not previously considered."

- Clara Joan Joaquim, Job Start participant

"A speaker from NAV also provided insights into current job market demands, which I found particularly helpful in aligning my job search accordingly. I am eager to assess my current potential and focus on upskilling to become more competitive,” added Joaquim.

While the course provides an essential introduction to the local job landscape for newcomers to Norway, it also underscores the importance of continued support for job seekers, helping them build confidence and take meaningful steps toward employment in Norway.

WHA would like to thank our collaborators, without whose support this course would not have been possible:

• Eli Skaug Syvertsen, NAV Agder
• Gjermund Nesland, Qualified Professionals
• Joris Neyens, Caritas Arendal
• Karl Norli, Arendal Voksenopplæring
• Kenneth Stubhaug Karlsen, Tekna
• Lars Anders Lai Gathe-Ilebekk, Karriere Agder, Agder fylkeskommune
• Levi Westerveld, Places.nu
• Margrethe Aurora Seljenes, UiA
• Nora Clarke, Mindset Therapy and Coaching Kristiansand
• NHO
• Simen Wik, Frameworks
• Sparebanken Sør
• Fellow internationals - Abida Nagra, Anna Kurus and Sabrina Simmons

What motivates companies to recruit internationals? What strategies and support have companies put in place to address the challenges of integrating international newcomers? What needs do internationals have and what challenges do they face in trying to settle down in Agder?  

These are just a few of the many pertinent questions that were raised at the recent Recruit Project  workshop held at Welcome Hub Agder. The research project is aimed at addressing the challenges of the labour market in Agder through cross-sector collaboration. The end goal is to enhance the region’s attractiveness to and competitiveness for skilled professionals. 

As such, the workshop focused on the journeys, needs and challenges faced by companies as they try to navigate the complicated process of attracting and more importantly retaining international talent. At the same time, the workshop also shined the spotlight on the obstacles that internationals themselves face in trying to settle down and integrate in Agder.

In attendance were presenters and representatives from several companies and organisations in Agder and Oslo including Agdering, Agder Fylkeskommune, Morrow Batteries, Norse Atlantic Airways, Gard, Byrådsavdeling for kultur og næring (Oslo), Cisco (Oslo), Invest in Agder, Eyde-klyngen, Hands Fund, Innoventi, MHWirth, Noroff, Tekna, The Network Sørlandet, UiA, Viking and also internationals and accompanying spouses. 

Key takeaways from discussions at the workshop on the challenges of recruiting international talent are that:

• current recruitment processes are often outdated and follow traditional methods which translate to not including international talent in companies’ search and/or selection process
• there is a lack of discussions around the value of hiring international talent, at both a local and national level
• language barriers pose significant challenges for internationals who work for companies where the main language used at the workplace is Norwegian
• most companies have limited in-house resources to provide settlement support for new hires

Internationals, on the other hand, highlighted two major challenges that they face when settling down in Agder:

• finding employment for accompanying spouse
• establishing a social network 

The lack of job opportunities for spouses and concerns about the overall well-being of the family are the two push factors for internationals leaving Agder. 

Solutions offered to address these challenges included:

• implementing an onboarding programme for internationals and their families 
• introducing a buddy programme for new hires within the organisation 
• organising social events and activities outside of working hours

Attendees left with a better grasp of a wide range of complex issues and received valuable insights and some clear and actionable steps to help improve the hiring and retaining of internationals. If a diverse and inclusive workforce is indeed the goal, then it is now up to society at large to find solutions and more importantly effectuate these solutions with sincerity and some urgency. 

If you would like to know more about how your business can get involved in this project, contact Ingvild Jensen at Agdering. 

Contact: 
Kamachi Ruthramurthi-Nilssen
Email: kamachi@welcomehub.no