– There are many who struggle with the theoretical, but they can be skilled at work. That’s what Joakim Hellbostad says. He did not enjoy primary school, and was told that he would never get a job. – Homework was not for me, he says. In upper secondary school, he was diagnosed with reading and writing difficulties. Eventually he dropped out. – The future did not look bright. It was just NAV and nothing really, says Hellbostad But then he happened to get a summer job via acquaintances at the company Odd Einar Kne AS. He has been a permanent employee there for seven years. He has also taken up the subjects he failed in, through the Training Office for construction and mining subjects. He believes that it must be made more clear that there are several ways to get into working life. – The politicians must show that there is a way outside the classroom, says Hellbostad. Now he has taken a vocational certificate as a road and construction worker and bought himself a house. There is also nothing to say about the shots from the boss. – Joakim is an employee we all appreciate. He stands his ground and is clever, says Odd Einar Kne, who is the company’s general manager. Kne is clear on which workforce they need most. – Of course we need engineers, but what we mostly need are people who are good at working with their hands and doing the practical work, he says. – We are failing people like Joakim More and more students are applying for vocational subjects at upper secondary school. This spring, there were 2,300 more applicants for vocational education programs than for study preparatory education programmes. This has meant that the grade point average has gone up. The average for building and construction engineering is now 4.1. The industry fears that this could lead to them losing good and important labour. – We are failing people like Joakim, says Julie Brodtkorb, managing director of the Machine Contractors Association (MEF). She agrees that the industry primarily needs good practitioners. Brodtkorb is impressed by what Hellbostad has done, but points out that the sunshine story is too random. – We must have a system that is safer than if you accidentally meet a person like Kne, she says. Managing Director of MEF, Julie Brodtkorb, is concerned that the industry is losing good and important labour. Photo: Åsmund Gullachsen The government takes the input on board The government takes the input from the construction industry seriously. That’s what state secretary in the Ministry of Education Sindre Lysø (Ap) says. – We see that there is a need to start a more practical and varied school early. That is why we have started work on a youth report where we look at how we can take action already from primary school, says Lysø. – It is not good that companies and industries that need more labor do not get enough applicants. Lysø points out that it is the county council that is responsible for the dimensioning of the upper secondary schools. When the government presents a new Education Act to the Storting, they will propose that the county councils should place greater emphasis on this. State Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Sindre Lysø, says that the government is looking at how they can create a more varied school. Photo: Brede Bleiklie Thomassen / news Brodtkorb in MEF is clear on what she believes is important to include. – When drafting a new training act, it is important to remember what Joakim mentions, namely the Training Office for the construction offices, she says. – It is the glue between the company and the apprentice. It must be strengthened. In addition, she highlights a pilot project in Viken, where the county council, NAV and Hæhre Entreprenør have collaborated to get more school-weary young people into work. Brodtkorb wants this scheme to become nationwide, and hopes it will be included in the national budget. – If you get such a project in as a permanent arrangement, then we are on the right track, says Brodtkorb. – Possibility to bring in more people NAV director Hans Christian Holte agrees that a better system is needed which is aimed at the group that is more practically oriented. – We must have an education system that works as well as possible for as many people as possible, so that we both take care of those who are good at the theoretical and those who may have a more practical orientation, he says. – Then it is important that educational institutions, employers and NAV work closely together. Holte is aware that there are many employers in Norway who need people, and that it is tough for many. – But there is also an opportunity to bring more people in. There are examples of employers who stretch a little further, and see that they can get good and stable labour. Joakim is a good example of that. NAV director Hans Christian Holte believes it is important that employers, educational institutions and NAV cooperate more closely in the future. Photo: Leif Rune Løland / news
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The construction industry worried that they are losing the best workforce – news Troms and Finnmark
