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 took place first at the conference “Taper vi kampen om de beste hodene?“ (“Are we losing the race for the best minds?”), hosted by NHO, Abelia and the Oslo Region, and continued at the meeting of the national Talent Attraction and Retention Network of Norway.
Veslemøy Heggen
Prosjektkoordinator
Talentsamarbeidet (the Talent Collaboration), which is part of the national network of nearly 30 organisations across the country, participated on both days to share experiences and discuss the way forward for a more attractive Norway.
From the south-west to the capital: The Southwest Norway collaboration was represented as shown on the left by Rita Østbø Stobbs, Karianne Ellefsen, Veslemøy Heggen, Ingrid Michalsen and Nora Clarke. Megan Elizabeth Sommer Strand was not present in the photo. On the right: Veslemøy Heggen and Gabriella Mikiewicz (Oslo municipality).
Common direction and political will
One clear message ran through both days: Norway needs stronger coordination – and clear political commitment – to succeed in attracting and retaining international talent.
Several of our Nordic neighbors have already established national frameworks and fast-track systems that make it easier to recruit and retain international employees. Norway has much 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 presented by Thea Ullhaug Pope from the City of Oslo. The initiative was launched in 2023 to reduce waiting times for work permits for international workers. By using a digital wallet, the project has demonstrated that processing times can be cut from 37 weeks to just three days. The project highlights how strong political will and cross-agency cooperation can simplify complex processes – to the benefit of employees, employers, and society as a whole.
From attraction to belonging
The conference also featured the initiative Work in Norway – a step toward making it easier to find information, apply for jobs, and settle in Norway. At the same time, several speakers reminded participants that attracting talent is only one part of the work.
Advisor and coach Audrey Camp shared her experiences as an international professional in Norway. She moved here with several university degrees, curiosity, and motivation – yet still found the path into working life unnecessarily long.
“Y’all, it shouldn’t be that hard,” Camp said, emphasising the importance of being welcomed as if you already belong – being invited to 17th of May celebrations, learning when and where to wear wool, and being included in everyday life.
The connection between recruitment and retention was summarised by Sandra Slotte at Arcada University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki: “Attraction is about places, 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 – yet 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
In the panel debate “How do we get skilled migrants and their families to stay?”, Karianne Ellefsen from Haugaland Vekst participated on behalf of the Talent Collaboration. She shared experiences from the region’s efforts and emphasized 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 on where to move, live, and stay – offering 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 greater impact than promoting single cities alone.
Joint effort for the future
Both the conference and the network meeting underscored that attracting and retaining international talent cannot be solved by individual actors alone. It requires collaboration across politics, business, and regions – and a clear national direction.
The Talent Collaboration continues to contribute to this effort through knowledge sharing, partnerships, and initiatives that make both Norway and Haugalandet an even more attractive place to work and live.
