After several years of work, Relocation Agder have become experts in Norwegian immigration frameworks and networking. The service consists of the trio Solfrid O'Malley, Neha Sharma and Birthe Helland.

Relocation Agder is part of Business Region Kristiansand, and began as a two-year pilot project. Today, it is a solid support function for companies recruiting international expertise.

- The gap between a signed contract and the first day on the job is huge when a new employee has to move from, for example, India, Brazil or South Africa. This is where we come in. We don't assist with recruitment, but take over when a partner company has secured an international talent," explains team leader Birthe Helland.

Relocation Agder offers a range of services. They handle immigration and registration tasks, often linked to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration, NAV, the police and the tax authorities. They also assist with practical aspects such as housing, cars and schools. At the same time, they advise partners in the job search process and organize social gatherings for internationals from autumn to spring.

- "We all go to great lengths to meet the individual needs of the families we work with. Our goal is to ensure that their transition to their new life in Norway is as safe and efficient as possible," says Helland.

The University of Agder was the first to request such services in Agder. Like many other HR departments, they had experienced how resource- and time-consuming these processes are. In the fall of 2018, they contacted Business Region Kristiansand with a request to develop such a service.

Six years later, Relocation Agder has a growing partner portfolio of 16 companies from academia, the public and private sectors.

- "To have passed over 600 assignments is incredibly exciting for us. It feels like an anniversary of sorts, so it's important for us to celebrate our growth," says consultant Solfrid O'Malley.

Those who have followed the team long enough describe them as a well-oiled machine. Yet they are also able to prioritize the more personal dimensions of the job.

- This is about people and their families. They are creating a whole new life. We must all do our part to welcome them once they have decided to land with us," continues O'Malley.

In order to achieve societal goals related to green transition and business development, we must assert ourselves in the battle for qualified labor. Norway's natural idyll, healthcare and political stability are strong selling points. 

At the same time, in annual surveys such as Expat Insider, internationals tell us that it can be challenging to establish yourself in Norway compared to other countries. Neha Sharma, who moved from Bangalore, India in 2010, recognizes these challenges.

- I understand very well how it feels to not know where to go and what is right. At our welcome meetings, we set aside time to explain as much as we can. We talk about the system, the lifestyle, social norms and work culture. It's fun to be part of a team that works on these things, says Sharma.

The international surveys, as well as feedback from the business community, show the importance of Relocation Agder for Agder.

- There has been a fantastic development and professionalization since we started working with the service in 2018. The over 600 new employees that Relocation has assisted have now become a network of international ambassadors for the region. It shows the importance of this type of work for hosting attractiveness and talent recruitment to Agder, concludes Business Manager in Kristiansand municipality Geir Haugum.