On August 27, Håndverksgruppen Region Innlandet gathered 30 apprentices from eight companies for an inspiring crafts day. With Roadshow, competitions and ethical awareness on the program, it was a day filled with commitment and professional development.
- Crafts days like this are a really important arena for our apprentices. When they get together, they quickly find their feet and bond. It's clear that they feel part of Håndverksgruppen, which creates a strong sense of community," says Marianne Hoel Twiddy, recruitment manager for HG Region Innlandet.
As the initiator of the crafts days, Marianne aims to ensure that the apprentices receive the best possible follow-up throughout their training.
- We're an internal training office and organize the training days ourselves, which gives us the opportunity to get closer to the apprentices and tailor the training to their needs. With us, the craftsmen always come first, she explains.
Roadshow and regional championships
The day began with a visit to the Mal Proffs Roadshow, which had stopped off in Hamar on its nationwide tour. Here, the apprentices got to meet professionals from 20 different suppliers, explore the latest products and take part in mini-courses. In addition, the regional painting and flooring championship was held as part of the Mal Proffs Overflate Tour 2024.
Three of Håndverksgruppen's apprentices took part, and there was a big cheer when Mia from Ragnvald Moe won in the stencil category.
- It was fantastic to see the commitment of the apprentices in the competition. It gives them the opportunity to showcase their skills, while learning from others and building confidence in the trade, says Marianne.
Interactive learning with Spleiselaget
After an inspiring morning, we moved on to Skancke, where Spleiselaget, under the auspices of the Swedish Tax Agency, held a lecture on attitudes to undeclared work. The apprentices answered a number of questions via their mobile phones, and the immediate results triggered good conversations and reflections.
- The interactive format offered by Spleiselaget makes the topic even more engaging and relevant. It also gives them a better understanding of the consequences of their choices for both themselves and society, says Marianne.
- The ripple effects can be enormous - for example, if seven and a half percent of the population thinks undeclared work is okay, that's the equivalent of NOK 30 billion evading the national budget.
Building professional pride with "We Care"
Marianne is keen to ensure that the apprentices receive professional refreshment and at the same time feel a sense of belonging and professional pride.
- At Håndverksgruppen, we place great emphasis on the value "We Care", which is at the heart of our crafts days. We pride ourselves on being close to our apprentices, which allows us to prioritize their needs and ensure that they feel seen and cared for. When they know each other and feel part of something bigger, it strengthens both professional pride and commitment.
Exchanging experiences between the regions in Håndverksgruppen is also an important part of the work, and department and project manager at HM Malerservice in Region West, Martine H. Skarpnes, participated to gain valuable insight.
Håndverksgruppen looks forward to building on this in the future.
- Every crafts day gives us valuable experience that we can use to do even better next time. Our goal is always to give our apprentices the best start to their careers. The more times we get together, the stronger the bonds between them become. This is important for both their professional development and for building a good working environment, concludes Marianne.
