Socioeconomic challenges related to employment and integration create a need for a mentoring program.
Background
From Idea to Organization
Sammen om en jobb (SAJO) is a nonprofit organization that works to promote a more inclusive society and a more diverse workforce through a mentoring program. The program pairs participants with extensive experience in the Norwegian workforce with immigrants and refugees in a 6-month program. In this way, we build relationships across cultures and pass on expertise so that more newcomers can contribute to the Norwegian labor market.
The organization was founded in 2017 by Erlend Skarsgard Nyheim, Paloma León Campos, and Vilde Thoresen Nord, inspired by the Belgian organization DUO for a JOB. Since then, we have provided mentors to an ever-increasing number of job seekers, with the goal of ensuring that everyone who comes to Norway is offered a relevant mentor.
The Need - Why a Mentoring Program?
For Norway to successfully include newly arrived immigrants and refugees, it is absolutely essential to ensure their successful integration into the workforce. Unfortunately, many struggle to enter the labor market and, as a result, to become part of Norwegian society.
There are thousands of highly qualified immigrants and refugees who are either unemployed or working in jobs for which they are overqualified. The fact that Norway is unable to make use of the skills these people possess represents a significant socioeconomic cost.
The main reasons why it is more difficult for immigrants to enter the relevant job are: a lack of networks in Norway, limited knowledge of the Norwegian workforce and culture, prejudice and perceived risks for employers, as well as limited Norwegian language skills.
These are obstacles that cannot be overcome on one’s own. The mentoring program enables participants to overcome many of these obstacles. We have a two-pronged approach and focus equally on the learning and development of both mentors and mentees.
Employees
Erlend Skarsgard Nyheim
Head of Academic and Program Development
Erlend is one of the founders of Sammen om en jobb and is responsible for the organization's and the program's development. Erlend holds a master's degree in human rights and migration and is also a certified teacher.
Vilde Thoresen Nord
Leadership, Finance, and Partnerships
Vilde is one of the founders of Sammen om en jobb and is responsible for the organization's finances, operations, and partnerships. She holds a master's degree in International Business and Politics from London.
Ndey Jobarteh
Project Manager for Oslo
Ndey coordinates the mentoring program and works on raising awareness. Ndey has extensive experience in business development, sales, and project development, both in the private sector and in the nonprofit sector.
Tone Indrelid
Project Manager for Rogaland
Tone coordinates the mentoring program in Rogaland and has a degree in social anthropology. Tone has lived in India, Oman, Syria, and Borneo
Rigmor Abel
Project Manager for Troms
Rigmor coordinates the mentoring program in Troms. Rigmor holds a degree in business administration and an MBA in organization and management. The common thread throughout her nearly 40-year career has been HR, organizational development, and management.
Miguel Angel Leyva Salas
Project Manager for the National Digital Mentoring Program
Miguel coordinates the national digital mentoring program and works on following up on mentor-mentee matches. Miguel has a background in psychology and development work.
The Board of Directors
Nicolina Knudtzon (Chair of the Board)
Nicolina is a mentor at Sammen om en jobb, played a key role in the initial phase of the digital platform’s development, and works with organizational and leadership development at Norsk Gjennvinning.
LinkedIn
Ingrid Anne Høgset (Board Member)
Ingrid is a partner at Ephori Impact, which works to develop the social investment market in Norway. She holds a degree in economics and has worked at institutions such as Norges Bank and the Ministry of Finance.
LinkedIn
Abubakar Khalid (Board Member)
Abubakar is a project manager at Wilstar, where he has closely followed Sammen om en jobb as part of the company’s portfolio of social projects.
LinkedIn
Jenny Ievgeniia Lutsenko (Board Member)
Jenny is a former participant in the mentoring program and works as a marketing liaison at Internasjonale Horten. She has previously worked as a counselor at NAV and as a translator of Polish, Ukrainian, and Russian.
LinkedIn
Ole Solberg (board member)
Ole has been a mentor at Sammen om en jobb almost since its inception and has extensive experience in leadership development from the business sector.
Ali Ahsan Syed (Board Member)
Ali is the Head of Passenger Traffic Customers at Bane NOR and serves as a mentor in the mentor program at Sammen om en jobb.
LinkedIn
Erlend Skarsgard Nyheim (employee representative)
Erlend helped found Sammen om en jobb and is responsible for organizational development and the program. Erlend is a certified teacher and holds a master’s degree in human rights and migration.
LinkedIn
Photo of the former board.