In 2014, Mohammad Mustafa Bazou made the most difficult decision of his life. He fled his home country, Syria. In 2019, the 36-year-old passed two vocational certificates after completing courses at AOF Vestlandet-Agder, and today he is a line manager at Hennig Olsen Is.
Mohammad was one of the employees at Hennig Olsen Is in Kristiansand who in 2019 had the opportunity to take a theory course for a vocational certificate at AOF Vestlandet-Agder. The ice cream manufacturer prioritises skills development for its employees, and in 2019, they filled two classes with theory refreshers for professional exams in production technology and industrial food production.
Fled from Syria
After completing two training programmes and obtaining a vocational certificate, Mohammad is now a line manager at Hennig Olsen Is. But the road there has been very tough and demanding.
– I’m from Tartous in Syria, where I lived with my family. I had a good job there as a manager in an air gas company that produced oxygen and gas. Life was good. Then came the civil war in 2011 and everything changed. In 2014, I was called up for military service and given 72 hours to get ready to take part in the war. Right then and there, I made the toughest decision I’ve ever made. I had to flee my country and my family, leave everything and everyone I loved and face a new and scary future – alone,” says the 36-year-old.
He first travelled to Turkey via Lebanon. He lived there for nine months without really settling in. His destination was therefore Norway.
– “I travelled west with many others in the same situation. The trip from Turkey to Greece and then on to Europe took a full 14 days, and we travelled by rubber boat. Naturally, it was a strain, but in September 2015 I finally arrived in Norway,” says Mohammad.
Shock meeting with Hovden
Mohammad was now in Norway, 27 years old and all alone, with a professional background that probably wouldn’t be useful in his new country. He doesn’t hide how frightening everything was at first. The contrast between Syria and Norway was enormous, and the strain of the rebellion in his home country was clearly noticeable.
– You don’t settle down straight away, even if you’ve reached safe ground,” he comments.
After ten days at Veslemoen asylum centre, Mohammad was sent on to Porsgrunn transit centre, where he stayed for five months.
Then came the landing. In March 2016, Mohammad ended up at Hovden in Bykle municipality by chance. He will never forget his first encounter with the largest winter sports centre south of Hardangervidda.
– Since that day, when I jumped out of the bus and put my feet on the ground at Hovden, I’ve called it “the freezer”. It was minus 30 degrees and three metres of snow on flat ground. A shock for a Syrian, to say the least,” he smiles.
Persistent efforts
Naturally, it is demanding for an immigrant to arrive alone in a completely new country, settle in, build relationships, acquire new routines, habits and meaningful pursuits. Integrating, learning a new language and a new culture. Mohammad makes no secret of the fact that the last eight years have been tough at times. At the same time, he has worked purposefully to get to where he is today.
– It’s a small community in Hovden, so I really got into it quite quickly. I did a lot of volunteer work and also got to know people that way. It actually felt easy to take the initiative – and be integrated. But it has to be said that it required a lot of personal effort,” says the 36-year-old.
Mohammad already knew English when he arrived in Norway and could quickly make himself understood. But the most important thing was to learn Norwegian, so a Norwegian course was on the agenda early on.
– From the very first lesson, I decided to put in as much effort as possible. So I’ve been studying, reading, talking and writing – and not least sweating. But it has paid off. After eleven months of training, assignments and follow-up, I reached my goal, which was a high linguistic level (B2) in Norwegian,” explains Mohammad.
Give full credit
The benefits of being fluent in Norwegian soon became clear. Naturally, communication with other people became easier, but also more job opportunities and a driving licence followed.
– It’s been hard work, because nothing comes naturally. But I’ve always been keen to learn as much as possible when it comes to languages, cultures and people. And it’s important for me to manage completely on my own,” says Mohammad.
In the autumn of 2018, he got a job opportunity at Hennig Olsen Is in Kristiansand as a seasonal worker. There, Mohammad was well received by both management and colleagues. The offer of training came straight away.
– First in industrial food production, then in production technology. Now I have two certificates and am a line manager. It’s absolutely fantastic, I’m so grateful,” says the 36-year-old from Syria.
Absolutely crucial
When Mohammad looks back on his journey into Norwegian society, he is clear that language learning is one of the most important things. He is passionate about others in the same situation as him having the same positive experience and outcome. He works as an interpreter for three different services, which allows him to both help others and further develop his own language.
– It gives me great joy,” says Mohammad, while emphasising how crucial it is for new compatriots to be welcomed by the local community.
– It was more difficult for me to come to Kristiansand than Hovden. People are busier here, so the language has undoubtedly been incredibly important for me to get to know people properly.
Mohammad goes on to say that he sees other Syrians struggling to learn Norwegian and get a job.
Perhaps the reason for this is the lack of good friends – and language skills.
So seize every opportunity you have, keep going and work with determination. And if you get the opportunity for work and education, like I did through Hennig Olsen Is and AOF Vestlandet-Agder, seize it!
Mohammad Mustafa Bazou
Important skills development
Audun Jensen at Hennig Olsen Is praises Mohammad for his journey to Norway and dedication in his working life.
– He has achieved a lot in a very short time. Mohammad quickly became well integrated and got on well with colleagues – both young and old, women and men. He’s an important resource,” says Jensen.
Jensen sees great value in Hennig Olsen Is’ focus on skills development and values the collaboration with AOF Vestlandet-Agder.
– Increased expertise means that people gain a much greater understanding of the profession – both in terms of quality, machinery and processes. In addition, it adds a good chunk to their pay packet. Last but not least, and most importantly, they get a piece of paper called a trade certificate that they can hold in their hands. “Several of our employees have obtained two certificates, like Mohammad, and some have obtained three. It shows that this is something we want,” says Audun Jensen.
Many opportunities
Zishan Ahmed works as a skills advisor at AOF Vestlandet-Agder, which offers various training activities throughout the skills ladder, from Norwegian language training, vocational certificates, tailoring to companies and higher education with credits/vocational school degrees through close dialogue with the business community.
– Here, AOF Vestlandet-Agder is very flexible and organises for the individual company and their wishes, regardless of whether it concerns online courses or location-based courses,” he says, and emphasises how important skills development is in today’s society.
We offer higher vocational education that ensures you have good professional skills in the labour market. Our programmes are future-oriented and practice-oriented and can be put to use immediately.
– It is becoming increasingly important to be able to show documented experience and expertise. By taking advantage of our programmes, companies have the opportunity to invest in their employees and their development. This, in turn, leads to engaged and motivated employees with increased expertise.
“Our partners take an important social responsibility,” he concludes.