Karolina Tsymbala is one of the approximately 16,000 Ukrainians who are currently attending an introductory program and learning Norwegian. – I have the opportunity to learn something and to be in practice. I hope I get a job in the near future. That is my main goal. A year ago I couldn’t think about it. Now it has become a part of my life, says Tsymbala. The 23-year-old from the city of Lviv in Ukraine completed her degree as a nurse in 2022. While she tries to get a job as a nurse in Norway, she completes the introductory program and works as an intern at a care centre. – I have been given the opportunity to learn the correct pronunciation, correct use of words and Norwegian culture. If there is something I don’t understand, I can ask Norwegians, she says. Traditional blackboard teaching is also part of the course. Photo: Johan Moen / news Will tighten the regulations On Wednesday, news learned that the government will today tighten the regulations for Ukrainians who come to Norway. At the end of November, figures from UDI showed that Norway had accepted significantly more Ukrainians than our neighboring countries. 50 percent more Ukrainians in the previous 13 weeks than Denmark, Sweden and Finland had received together. In order to get more Ukrainians into work, the government has also submitted a proposal to make the introduction program more work-oriented for consultation. – About half will go directly to work Since the start of 2022, Norway has accepted over 67,000 Ukrainian refugees. According to the Directorate of Inclusion and Diversity (Imdi), most people agree to participate in the introduction programme. But of the 4,700 who have completed the introductory programme, not all have found work yet. This is according to the assistant director of Imdi, Halwan Ibrahim. – About half go straight into work after the induction programme, in addition a certain proportion go on to education, says Ibrahim. The half Ibrahim mentions includes participants who have switched to work with a wage supplement after completing the program and participants with work combined with education as the reason for termination. Did they expect that more than half would go straight to work after they finished? – Of course, we have ambitions for many to get into work quickly. It is an expectation that we have for those who will carry out the programme, says Ibrahim. Karolina Tsymbala and other participants in the introductory program in Oslo. Photo: Johan Moen / news 8 out of 10 in work, education or work training In mid-November, 4 per cent of the program participants had moved on to further or higher education. Around 30 per cent went on to qualification measures under the auspices of Nav or the municipality with the aim of getting into work. – This means that a total of 80 per cent of those who have completed the program have gone directly to work, education or further qualification measures under the auspices of the municipality or NAV, says Ibrahim. The assistant director underlines that the numbers are preliminary – The municipalities can change the numbers for up to two months, he says. Syllabus. Photo: Johan Moen / news Many had the course time extended: – Needs some language training Basically, the intro program lasts for six months. But the participants can extend the course, and many do. In mid-November, 86 per cent with the right to participate were registered with an extension of the programme. Then it can last up to 12 months, says Imdi. Norwegian glosses. Photo: Johan Moen / news Halwan Ibrahim says that language is the biggest challenge in getting Ukrainian refugees to work in Norway. – They need some language training in order to improve the prerequisites for entering work. In order to have the right to participate in the programme, you must be between 18 and 55 years of age, have been granted collective protection from the UDI and be resident in accordance with the agreement between IMDi and the municipality. – A good number of the Ukrainians who have come to Norway are children and young people under the age of 18, or over the age of 55, and therefore do not have the right to participate in the programme, says Ibrahim.
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Karolina (23) is trying to get work in Norway: – That is the main goal
