Oslo Business Region’s Talent Initiatives in 2024: Empowering International Talent in Oslo
In 2024, Oslo Business Region continued to tackle the pressing need for skilled talent in the city. By launching targeted initiatives to both attract and retain international professionals, we have responded to the growing competition for global tech talent and the skills gap faced by 6 out of 10 Norwegian companies. These efforts aim to reinforce Oslo’s reputation as a desirable destination for international talent and their families, supporting the city’s economic growth and innovation ecosystem.
Retaining Talent in Oslo
We have worked to enhance knowledge of international recruitment while supporting talent integration into Oslo’s business ecosystem. Key efforts include hosting networking events for international tech professionals and their partners, alongside mentoring programs aimed at helping spouses and partners of international employees enter the Norwegian job market.
Results:
Networking and Integration: 80 growth companies supported to integrate 216 international employees, with 186 talents from 65 companies participating in events to foster integration.
Knowledge Building: Events like “Talentcrunch” educated 27 ecosystem professionals about recruitment trends, earning an NPS of 80.
Welcome Initiatives: Over 250 participants attended events under the “Welcome to Oslo” project, introducing international workers and families to Norwegian culture and networks.
Spouse Program: 30 spouses and partners of talent gained professional networks, with 30% securing employment.
Attracting Talent to Oslo
Recognizing the competition for global tech talent, Oslo Business Region launched “Work in Oslo,” a European marketing campaign highlighting the city’s unique work-life balance. Targeting high-skilled professionals in London, Paris, Berlin, and Amsterdam, the campaign reached an estimated 1.1 million talents.
Collaborations
“Welcome to Oslo” was a collaboration between various organizations, both public and private. Our main partners were the City of Oslo and Oslopolitan. The events were made possible by grants for the development of qualification and integration measures from the Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDI).
Industry experts like Abelia, Rockstart, and Amby shared their knowledge and expert advice on the need for international talent and recruitment processes.
TRY, Holly Hastead and Kai Chen for helping us tell stories of international talents and founders in Oslo - showcasing Oslo as a great place to work and start a business.
Ardoq, Findable, and Glint Solar, three of the most exciting scaleups in Oslo showcased their international talent that have made the move, and have found their work-life balance in Oslo.
Looking forward:
As we go into the rest of 2025, our ambitions to support the ecosystem's needs around talent attraction continue to grow as well. We will work to:
Position Oslo as a hub for innovation, sustainability and quality of life, while highlighting the city's inclusive policies, compact city structure, and thriving startup community to appeal to international professionals.
Enhance initiatives that support the integration of international talent through facilitating relevant networking and career development for spouses/partners.
Build strategic collaborations with both public and private actors to provide a wider, more holistic and robust offer of support for international talents in Oslo.