Nav asks employers to open their doors to Ukrainians

– It is crucial that as many Ukrainians as possible come to work. It is what creates inclusion and integration in society. It is what gives the refugees the opportunity to develop social understanding and language in Norway, says Nav CEO Hans Christian Holte to Aftenposten.

If refugees do not find work, they will eventually burden the municipalities’ social budgets. Holte asks employers to be aware of their responsibility and ask themselves what they can do to get as many people employed as possible.

– Many industries need people. Even if the match is not perfect, my call is to look at what is needed so that they can contribute in the health and care sector and other sectors with an obvious shortage of people, says Holte and points out that separate courses have been introduced for health personnel.

Generally speaking, Nav’s introduction program has become more vocationally oriented, and participants can receive parts of the language training in work practice. The government also relaxed the requirements for Ukrainian professional drivers before Christmas, so that they might get to work more quickly.

Career counselor Trine Lise Lyng in Joblearn is among those who organize job courses for Nav applicants. She describes the Ukrainians as conscientious.

– They come with a lot of expertise. They come with a lot of experience. They need help from us to transfer their expertise to Norwegian conditions, she says to Aftenposten.