From job training to job: together for success

Since 2020, SITEP has had a close and targeted collaboration with the Refugee Service in Sogn on job training for refugees. The goal is clear: to give more people a path into the workforce, and in the long term, contribute to new, sustainable jobs in Årdal.

Cecilie (SITEP), Yulia, Oleksii, Charlotte (Refugee Service), Andrii, Frank (SITEP), Alf Einar (SITEP).

Recently, the collaboration was celebrated with a cake in Årdal Technology Park, following very good results. For the majority of the participants, the on-the-job training at SITEP has resulted in regular work.

Charlotte Skarsbø, refugee consultant in Årdal municipality, praises the collaboration and particularly highlights the CEO of SITEP, Frank Øvstetun, as an important driver.

– Frank has a genuine desire to contribute to job training for refugees and at the same time create new jobs. What is extra special is his ability to see opportunities everywhere, and that he gives those involved ownership of the projects. That means a lot to those in job training, says Skarsbø.

So far, nine candidates have been in work training through this collaboration, and as of today, eight have progressed from work training to employment.

The dialogue between SITEP, NAV and the Norwegian Refugee Council is close and continuous. Frank regularly contacts to investigate whether there are candidates with relevant expertise for specific projects. At the same time, the Norwegian Refugee Council contacts when the language and competence mapping is in place, to look at current opportunities at SITEP.

The collaboration itself has roots back to 2020, when the first of many work trainings began.

Moving forward, we will share more of these success stories that have grown through good collaboration. Stay tuned to read the story of Yulia Bondar – and how she, in collaboration with SITEP and NAV, has created her own workplace for herself and others.