Omega showcases student opportunities

Published: 21.03.11

School counsellors from a wide range of schools in the Haugesund region visited Omega, on Thursday 17 March, to get to know some of the businesses in Ølensvåg and learn about their personnel needs.

“For the schools, it is important to gather information from local businesses regarding their needs in terms of employees and expertise when counselling students about job and education opportunities,” explained Tore Bauer-Nilsen, Counsellor in Haugalandet School and Employment, a part of Haugaland Vekst, the region's business development company.

The organisers of the annual counsellor meeting focussed on Omega in 2011. Anne Beth Kalland-Olsen og Brita Dueland from the Karrieresenteret in Rogaland, Sverre Meling from the Maritimt Forum og Tore Bauer-Nilsen from Haugaland Vekst.

Hidden treasure

Along with the Karrieresenteret in Rogaland and the Maritim Forum in Haugesund, Bauer-Nilsen had invited 25 school counsellors to the briefing at Omega. Neighbouring business Westcon was also in attendance. The purpose of the day was to give the counsellors a better understanding of the industry cluster in Ølensvåg, and allow them to learn more about the local opportunities available to students on their way to higher education.

“I especially wanted us to become better acquainted with Omega. The Omega name is already familiar to those in the industry, but it is probably a hidden treasure for many on their way to employment and education,” Bauer-Nilsen said.

Project Consultants Manager Leif Kåre Kolnes presented Omega`s story and business reach, and emphasised the need for competence and local personnel.

Local advantages

Project Consultants Manager Leif Kåre Kolnes presented Omega and the opportunities Omega offers for 25 school counsellors from across Haugalandet.

“We have grown to become a comprehensive business in need of more personnel, and currently we are in a situation where we need more people. Those who will become our employees in the years ahead include students at schools in the region, and this expertise does not need to leave the area. The need for competence and personnel is something we have the opportunity to fulfill internally here in Haugalandet,” said Kolnes.

Both Westcon and Omega suggested employees in Ølensvåg had not experienced the “difficult times” to the same extent as employees elsewhere. Omega continued to grow throughout the entire financial crisis, said Kolnes, who believes the local anchor of Omega is one of the reasons for the resilience.

“With local ownership, a thought today can be reality tomorrow, and the many businesses within the Omega concern have contributed to maintaining local expertise and jobs. At the same time, we`ve held on to the most important thing in Omega; we are big enough to deliver what our clients demand, but still small enough for our employees not to get lost in the crowd.”