Graduate schemes in Norway

The many facets of a graduate scheme

Graduate programmes refer to training and development schemes designed by corporations to address graduates that are looking for an opportunity to jump-start their professional career. Hence, similar to an internship, they offer an effective way to experience a variety of aspects concerning specific job posts, while also gaining a more in-depth understanding of an organisation as a whole. Many employers offer graduate programmes, including ARM, BearingPoint AB, Cisco Systems, Handelsbanken & Lime.

Training & work experience - The fast track to responsibility

However, graduate programmes are more than just industry placements. They form an introduction to an organisation’s core business, structure and internal culture while encompassing intense training, continuous mentoring, and a view towards permanent employment upon completion. The training fragment often revolves around general workplace skills, such as communication, management, strategy understanding, decision making etc. which are frequently applied across a wide range of business units. Your assigned mentor will be providing on-going career advice and assistance, while also assessing your progress and individual attributes in order to boost your professional development. Most of these internship programmes are with pay.

Your future placement in the organisation hosting the graduate programme will usually be in the form of a junior managerial role. Depending on your skill sets, assessment, and overall performance, though, getting fast tracked into more responsible positions within the company is a common outcome of the programmes.

Tip: Get started on the application process for your graduate scheme by updating your CV and writing a cover letter that is tailored to the job description.

Living and working in Norway

Opportunities for graduate schemes in Norway are many. The oil from the North Sea, and gas and petroleum fields are major cornerstones in the country’s economy. Other major industries are fishery, pulp, and paper, forestry, mining, manufacturing, and shipping. Among areas with recent growth, we can find IT and communications. The capital, Oslo is a major centre for maritime technology. The second biggest city, Bergen is an international centre for aquaculture, shipping, offshore petroleum industry, and subsea technology.

Norway is also represented in the Graduateland Network through our university partner, the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.

Tip: Be aware that the requirements for job applications in Norway may be different from what you are used to. Check the points where you can adapt your CV, cover letter, and communication with employers to local standards.