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Home , Andenes (municipality), Artscape Nordland, Helgeland, Leknes, Melbu, Mo i Rana

WELCOME TO ! SMILE, YOU FOUND US

Photo: Espen Mortensen /esmofoto THE MIDDLE OF – BULLSEYE!

You have found Nordland, the county in It is an ambitious goal. Many good forces will be the middle of Norway. The world’s richest working together to secure jobs for newcomers, coast, fresh air good and healthy for your help them with language learning and lodgings, lungs, and – and and not least help them to settle down and want residents who wish you welcome. We need to stay. Our 44 municipalities and employers in the county are the major participants. The project is more hands here, for the manufacturing based on six major platforms which we believe are industries, the health services, education essential to success: and a range of service industries. • tuition If you have what our local employers are looking • Education and qualification for, we can offer you a good life in a fantastic part • Systematic recruitment of Norway. We are happy here, and we think you • Housing will be, too. • Leisure time and voluntary work • Information Today, there are 20,000 people with foreign backgrounds living in Nordland. We need more. Interested? Consequently, in 2013, the County Council, Nord- Start by visiting www.workinnorway.no and land’s highest political body, decided to implement www.nyinorge.no where you will find answers to a project designed to ensure further immigration most of your questions. to Nordland. The aim of the project is 10,000 new inhabitants by 2018.

Photo: Thor-Wiggo Skille

Today, there are 20,000 people with foreign backgrounds living in Nordland. We need more.

www.workinnorway.no www.nyinorge.no Photo: Erik Veigård

Proud of our country The Circle Norway is the country responsible for awarding the Most of the county of Nordland is situated north Nobel Peace Prize, something we are very proud of the . In summer we have the mid- of. We are also proud of our social order. A socially night sun, a period during which the sun shines 24 just system for the distribution of wealth has pre- hours a day. Similarly, we have polar night during vailed here for decade after decade, creating a so- the winter, a few weeks when we do not see the sun ciety based on equal rights and equal opportunity. at all. Both these phenomena are quite fascinating, Social benefits make life here secure, whether you and both have undoubtedly contributed towards are a native Norwegian or you come here to work. forming our way of life. We cultivate the outdoor In Norway we pay taxes in return for this kind of life in summer, and enjoy life indoors during much welfare, and we agree that it is money well spent. of the winter – unless we are outside watching the northern lights, that is, an event which never We are happy ceases to fascinate us. We hope you are happy, but we do not think you will be less happy by coming here. We are, in fact, Close to nature the world’s second happiest people according to the Most people in Nordland live in cities or small UN “World Happiness Report 2013”. The report towns. The cities are not big, however. The biggest also tells us that happy people live longer, are more one (Bodø) has a population of 50,000 people. At productive, earn more and are more law-abiding. the other end of the scale, there are a number of Norway is also one of the safest countries in the small boroughs. and Træna, for instance, world. According to Global Peace Index we are have 500 residents each. ranked at number 10 among the 162 countries We greatly appreciate our proximity to the coun- assessed. tryside, that it is so easy to get out and enjoy it, and that we can see the sea from almost anywhere. Imagine: there are 240,000 people living in an area about the size of Holland. In other words, there is plenty of room for wilderness here. Clean air, pure water and excellent scope for walking. If you like rambling, boating, fishing or hunting, you should certainly enjoy life here.

Photo: Erik Veigård Photo: Thor-Wiggo Skille Photo: Helse Nord

Nordland i a modern industrial county

Photo: Marine Harvest

www.workinnorway.no www.nyinorge.no HOW DO WE MAKE A LIVING

To put it simply, we live off the abundance Biggest growth in the North of natural resources found in this long, Recent figures from the State of extensive county. The fish in the sea, the the Market Barometer show that economic growth oil beneath the seabed, the manufacturing in the north is on a level with the rest of the industries, environmentally friendly country, while economic growth per employee has hydroelectric power and the minerals increased here to a greater extent than in the rest of the country. The State of the Market Barome- found in the mountains. Nordland is the ter concludes that the greatest economic growth major exporting county in this part of will occur in Northern Norway, and that increased the country. 75% of Northern Norway’s international activity will benefit those industries exports come from Nordland. In a national in the north which are based on raw materials. context, we are the fourth biggest county when it comes to exports. A modern industrial county Nordland is a modern industrial county. The As with other modern societies, most of us have mainstays of industrial activity here are energy, employment as a result of the fact that someone is minerals and fish. These internationally oriented utilizing the resources we export. Statistics show industries have led to the development of a supply that most jobs are found in the fields of public and industry that has become accustomed to deman- private services, followed by the retail trade, ding customers. Expertise, research and innova- and transport, the manu- tion are essential elements in the development of facturing industries, and building today’s trade and industry in Nordland. and construction. An extraordinary aquaculture industry To you, who are now hopefully begin- Nordland exports fish for NOK 8.5 billion (1.3 bil- ning to wonder whether Nordland may lion US dollars) a year. The rate of growth in 2013 be the right choice, this means that the- was an incredible 26.6% - and climbing. re are a number of job options available. You will find more details of this on the following pages.

... the greatest economic growth will occur in Northern Norway

The number of immigrants in Nordland is increasing, and we need even more 2000 2014 Inhabitants of Nordland 239109 240877 Immigrants living in Nordland 6037 19207 Percentage of immigrants 2,5% 8% Photo: Nova Sea Photo: Mo Industripark

WILL YOU BE ONE OF US?

Photo: Helse Nord

www.workinnorway.no www.nyinorge.no 2000 VACANCIES NOW

There are about two thousand vacant jobs in Nordland at any given time. The The 20 most called for professions need for labour is greatest in the health in 2014 – Nordland and care, building and construction and • Nurses fisheries sectors. Well-educated people with experience in these fields have much • Health care workers to choose from. • Cement and concrete workers • Other sales assistants All other trades also need labour. Whether you are • Other health-based professions a teacher, car mechanic, agronomist, first mate, vet, biologist, florist, computer engineer, meteorologist, • Medical Specialists baker, or something completely different, there is • Other engineers still a chance that there may be work for you here. • Electricians Currently, the biggest demand is for engineers, • Construction engineers skilled workers and nurses. • Joiners and carpenters And there will be even more … • Shop assistants We are facing a wave of old people in Nordland • Pre-school teachers and in Norway as a whole. In 2030, 40% of today’s workforce will be old-age pensioners, and we do • Teachers not have enough young people to replace them. • Insurance agents Today, there are many foreign workers in • Other artisans our county. 134 different nationalities • Construction machinery and industrial are represented in our workforce, and we need even more. Trade and mechanics industry are undergoing a period of • Corporate cleaners growth, and we need new workers • Plumbers and sanitary fitters to meet the resulting demands and to replace those who retire. • Accountants Will you be one of them? • Engineers (petroleum, , metallurgy)

134 different nationalities are represented in our workforce, and we need even more. EUROPE NORWAY

ARCTIC ARCTIC CIRCLE

TRAVELLING AND DISTANCES

As you can see from the map our county is very long, 500 km as the crow flies from north to south, longer than the distance from Paris to Amsterdam. High mountains and the many cutting deep into the landscape, can make travelling something of a challenge.

This is why we have good communications. The county is linked together by roads, car ferries, express passenger boats, railways, airlines and even a helicopter service. We have 11 airports in a network ensuring excellent air links within the county borders and also outside of them.

From the main airport in Bodø there are 18 daily departures to Norway’s capital city, . Most of them are direct flights.

Nordland is far north, but we are far from isolated.

E N Å L E R NORDLAND T S E V

Stokmarknes / E10 N Svolvær T E O F Narvik O L

E6

BODØ Oslo 90 minutes

SWEDEN

ARCT IC CIRCLE

Mo i Rana

Sandnessjøen Oslo 75 minutes Mosjøen

Brønnøysund Main airports

Regional airports

Hospitals

University/Higher education

Upper secondary schools

Main road

Railway NORD-TRØNDELAG Boat routes Photos: Erik Veigård

Equal opportunities are very important to us in this country.

www.workinnorway.no www.nyinorge.no WORKING IN NORWAY

If the idea of working in Norway has begun Work for your spouse to take root, you may be wondering what it Having read this far in the brochure, you will have is like to be employed here. Well, thank you realized that we need labour in Nordland. This me- kindly, we think it’s great. ans that we probably have work for your husband/ wife/partner, too. Based on the experience of our We have come a long way with regard to workers’ immigrant workers, it should not take long before rights. We have a Working Environment Act that both of you have work, if this is what you want. regulates essential conditions and we have a trade union movement that has secured many benefits for Maternity leave workers. We have arrangements that allow paid maternity leave for one year. You can choose 80% payment • The average wage in Norway is 35% higher than and increase your leave to 59 weeks, or 100% that of the other OECD countries. payment and 49 weeks leave. The arrangements • We work less (1,420 hours a year compared to apply to everyone, but there are certain conditions. 1,765 in the OECD). You must, for instance, have been employed for the • in Nordland is as low as 3%. past few months prior to claiming leave. Check for • Everyone has a right to paid holidays, five weeks details at www.nav.no is the norm. Equal opportunities Do you have a family? Equal opportunities are very important to us in If so, lucky you! Here, we make all this country. We appointed the world’s first Equal possible provisions for family life. Opportunities Commissioner in 1975, and were Work is important, but so is the rest quick to pass a working environment act securing of your life, perhaps even more so women maternity leave and pay when giving birth. when you have a family. In 2005 we passed the first legislation against Working life in Norway is organized in discrimination. It is designed to secure equal rights such a way that it is possible to combine and opportunities and to prevent discrimination work and family life, for both men and based on ethnicity, national origins, descent, skin women. colour, language, religion or philosophy of life. These circumstances are among the reasons why Kindergarten for all children Norwegian women have the highest level of em- In Nordland all children over one year of ployment in Europe and give birth to more chil- age have the right to a place in kindergarten dren than women in other European countries. We if their parents apply. If you do so, you will be wish you welcome! given a place for your children in a local kin- dergarten offering proper, educational content. Excellent conditions to grow up in Should you prefer to stay at home with your We have good schools, kindergartens, play areas children, you will receive a tax free allowance to and not least safe surroundings. It is good to grow enable you to do so when your children are betwe- up in Nordland. en the ages of one and two. Photo: Erik Veigård Photo: Erik Veigård

We believe that smaller communities do something to people

Photo: Reidar Hernes

www.workinnorway.no www.nyinorge.no A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OURSELVES

Moving to another country is a big step. A steadier pulse The most important question to ask is A German once said “We Germans live to work, whether or not you will be happy. It is but here in Norway I think you work to live.” difficult for us to say, but let us tell you a If that is true, our pulse rate is probably even ste- little bit about ourselves, the people who adier here in Nordland. Perhaps it is the omnipre- will be your colleagues, neighbours and sent countryside that reminds us of how small and insignificant we are, and that the best thing we can friends. do is take care of each other?

Proximity to nature Distinctive character Before the industrial revolution we lived off fish Do Northerners have a distinctive character? Yes, and agriculture, especially fish. Well into the post- we think so. Everyone probably does. It is said that war era the combination “fisherman-farmer” was we are friendlier, more open and hospitable than still common. Today, the fishing profession has our countrymen further down south. Think of a been modernized and automated almost beyond pleasant country you are familiar with. Imagine recognition, but proximity to the sea and nature is yourself far away from the capital city, away from still an integral part of our culture. Most Norther- exhaust fumes and noise, in a region where people ners are today just as urban as the next person, but have lived closer to each other and closer to nature. we still like to catch our own fish, pick berries Perhaps then you will pick up on our distinctive and mushrooms and chop our own character. We believe that smaller communities firewood, even though these things do something to people, for better or worse, but are now just pleasant pastimes and mostly for better. by no means necessary. We have a special law securing everyone’s right to take advantage of the countryside here. In a global context this is quite unique.

Imagine yourself far away from the capital city, away from exhaust fumes and noise, in a region where people have lived closer to each other and closer to nature WHEN WE ARE NOT AT WORK

Nordland has been voted the best tourist Norway’s national mountain, , is situated in county in Norway.* Tourists come here all Nordland. It is magnificent. If you do not suffer year round to experience the midnight sun, from a fear of heights, you can join a guided tour the polar night, the northern lights, deep- to the summit. sea fishing, , festivals and the , near Bodø, is the world’s strongest fantastic countryside that surrounds us on tidal current. It is an impressive sight, so abundant all sides. in fish that the first Northerners settled here when the glaciers withdrew 10,000 years ago. Those of us who are resident here, experience the- se things all the time. We have lots to choose from The , where the world’s greatest in our leisure time. Northerners often go rambling fishery takes place, are Norway’s most famous all year round. In the summertime, the woodlands tourist attraction, on a par with the . and open countryside entice us. In winter, the enti- re landscape is open to those with a pair of skis. In Hamarøy we find the Hamsun Centre, dedicated to the world famous author and Nobel Prize win- In Nordland you will find slopes on ner, and his life and times. steep mountainsides towering straight up from the sea. Skiing downhill with a view of the and In the south of the county we find the Vega Ar- sea is an amazing experience. chipelago, Norway’s most extensive, with its 6,500 isles and skerries. The culture of this area is so unique that UNESCO has given it World Heritage status.

Festivals are arranged all year round

Photo: Bjørn Erik Olsen

www.workinnorway.no www.nyinorge.no Photo: Erik Veigård Photo: Ernst Furuhatt Photo: Terje Rakke, Nordic Life

Artscape Nordland is a project which has resulted music to and old wooden boats. Festivals in sculptures in 32 of Nordland’s 44 boroughs. help local communities and special interest groups to present and boost their identity. All over our extensive county we find local pleasu- res and experiences on which to spend our spare time. Nordland consists of many small towns and Examples of the diversity of villages. Everyone is enthusiastic about their own festivals in Nordland: local community, which means that you will find museums, cosy cafés, galleries, swimming pools, • The Blåfrost Festival in culture schools and other things to spend your time on in places you would have thought were too • Sagaspill (Viking pageant) small for such things. • The Singles Festival at Andøya • The World Cod Fishing Championships We must also mention how important voluntary in Svolvær work is to how the Northerner’s spend their spare time. Organizations from A to Å (Å is the last • Winter Festival Week in Narvik letter in our alphabet) are run on a voluntary basis. • Nordland Music Festival We meet because of them, make ourselves useful, • Codstock in Henningsvær (music) get to know new people and feel that our leisure time is spent in a meaningful way. If you have a • The Hamsun Festival in Hamarøy special interest, you can almost be sure there is an • The Nordland-type Boat Regatta in Terråk organisation for it. • The Træna Festival • The Festival Over 100 festivals Festivals are arranged all year round in Nordland. • HemnesJazz Altogether, there are over 100 festivals in the • The Chamber Music Festival in Lofoten county covering everything from rock and classical

All over our extensive county we find local pleasures and experiences on which to spend our spare time

Photo: Erik Veigård 112 112 THIS IS WHY WE STAYED

– I decided to stay here because I feel welcome in the local community and am happy here. Furthermore, I soon realized that I had many good opportunities here with regard to work and social commitment.

Salamatu Winningah Educational Adviser, Nordland County Council, and local politician

My children are the most important reason why I have stayed here. However, I also have a fascinating and rewarding job. My children have had a safe upbringing here. Life is simpler, everything is easily accessible and understandable. Distances are not too great and there is plenty to do in your spare time. We are very pleased with the school.

Margarita Novoa Garrido Head of Department and Researcher, Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, Dr. Med. Vet, PhD

I can put my expertise and knowledge to good use here at the local hospital. I am well-established here and have a Norwegian partner and two children. We like being out in the countryside and out at sea.

Istvan Gal Head Physician, Hospital

We dreamed of our own farm and eco-farming. Now we make cheese and other products on our dream farm at Saupstad in Lofoten. It is the most beautiful place in the world!

Marielle deRoos Lofoten Gårdsysteri (Farm and Cheese factory)

Photo: Øystein Lunde Ingvaldsen