Towards a more attractive Norway
This week, representatives from business, academia and the public sector gathered in Oslo to discuss how Norway can strengthen its position in the global competition for talent. The discussions first took place at the conference “Are we losing the battle for the best minds?”, organised by NHO, Abelia and the Oslo region, and continued at the meeting of the national Talent Attraction and Retention Network of Norway.
Talentsamarbeidet, which is part of the national network of almost 30 organisations across the country, participated in both days to share experiences and discuss the way forward for a more attractive Norway.
From the south-west to the capital: Sørvestlandssamarbeidet was represented by, from left, Rita Østbø Stobbs, Karianne Ellefsen, Veslemøy Heggen, Ingrid Michalsen and Nora Clarke. Megan Elizabeth Sommer Strand was not present in the photo. To the right in the picture: Veslemøy Heggen and Gabriella Mikiewicz (Oslo municipality).
Common direction and political will
One clear message emerged from both days: Norway needs stronger co-ordination – and a clear political commitment – to succeed in attracting and retaining international talent.
Several of our Nordic neighbours have already established national frameworks and fast-tracks that make it easier to recruit and retain international employees. Norway has a lot to gain from doing the same, especially as the demand for skilled professionals continues to grow across industries.
One example of what is possible through collaboration is Kompetansespor – a pilot project that was presented by Thea Ullhaug Pope from Oslo Municipality. The initiative was launched in 2023 to reduce the waiting time for work permits for international workers. Using a digital wallet, the project has shown that the processing time can be reduced from 37 weeks to just three days. The project demonstrates how strong political will and cross-agency collaboration can simplify complex processes – to the benefit of workers, employers and society as a whole.
From attraction to belonging
The conference also showcased the Work in Norway initiative, which aims to make it easier to find information, apply for jobs and settle in Norway. At the same time, several of the speakers reminded participants that attracting talent is only one part of the job.
Counsellor and coach Audrey Camp shared her experiences as an international professional in Norway. She moved here with several university degrees, curiosity and motivation in her luggage – but still felt that the road to working life was unnecessarily long.
“It shouldn’t be that hard,” said Camp, emphasising the importance of being welcomed as if you already belong – being invited to 17 May celebrations, learning when and where to wear wool and being included in everyday life.
Sandra Slotte from Arcada University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki summarised the connection between recruiting and retaining employees: “Attraction is about places, while retention is about people.”
The message from Audrey Camp and Sandra Slotte was clear: Inclusion must come before recruitment. PHOTO: ABELIA.
International students want to become
Another topic that received attention was the transition from studies to working life for international students.
Kari Risnes from OsloMet pointed out that three out of four international students want to stay in Norway after graduation – but that far fewer actually manage to do so. Many lack information about opportunities and processes, and are unsure how to navigate the transition from student to employee.
Haugalandet on stage
Karianne Ellefsen from Haugaland Vekst participated in the panel discussion “How do we get skilled immigrants and their families to stay?” on behalf of Talentsamarbeidet. She shared experiences from the region’s work and emphasised the importance of committed employers and inclusive colleagues:
“We need people who take initiative – who make new colleagues feel seen and welcome from day one. Be that person in your organisation.”
Family and friends over career opportunities
During the network meeting, Christian Jahren, head of Invest in Vestfold, presented the Talent City Index – Vestfold 2025. The survey explores what influences people’s decisions about where to move, live and stay – and provides valuable insights for other regions as well:
In Norway, proximity to family and friends is ranked higher than career opportunities.
Awareness and visibility are key to attractiveness – many municipalities are perceived as “unknown” outside their own region.
Regional branding has a greater impact than the marketing of individual cities alone.
Working together for the future
Both the conference and the network meeting emphasised that attracting and retaining international talent cannot be solved by individual players alone. It requires co-operation across politics, business and regions – and a clear national direction.
The Talent Collaboration continues to contribute to this work through knowledge sharing, partnerships and initiatives that make both Norway and Haugalandet an even more attractive place to work and live.
