What do you do if you see young men sleeping in a car outside your office? For Murmester Dag Arne Nilsen, the choice was simple.
- I knocked on the windshield and asked outright if they were going to sleep there. When they said yes, I thought there had to be a better solution. So I invited them into the office," says Dag Arne Nilsen, general manager of Murmester Dag Arne Nilsen.
18 years later, Mindaugas is one of the company's best craftsmen.
From amateur painter to bricklayer
Mindaugas and Justas had come from Lithuania to Norway to work as painters that summer. One night in the office quickly turned into several months, during which the two boys were able to use the premises as a base while carrying out painting jobs around Tønsberg.
- I set up a simple shower in the warehouse so they had the essentials, continues Dag Arne. They stayed for the whole summer and returned the following year for more assignments.
After a few years with the same arrangement, Dag Arne decided to offer Mindaugas a permanent job.
- We needed people, and they showed early on that they were both hard-working and reliable. Offering Mindauga's job has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. What an amazing willingness to work! He has given so much back for the trust he was given, he says.
While Justas has moved on, Mindaugas has chosen to stay with the company.
- When he started with us, he was self-taught, but he has stuck at it all the way. He has attended Norwegian courses and worked his way up in the company. Today, Mindaugas is one of the most skilled bricklayers we have and an important part of the team, says Dag Arne.
We dare to invest in people
Murmester Dag Arne Nilsen has always been keen to give people a chance.
- We dare to invest in people. It's not about charity, but about giving someone an opportunity to show what they can do. Investing in people in this way has given us an incredible amount in return, he says.
The bricklaying company has also supported employees who have struggled in other ways.
- We have had employees who have challenges with substance abuse, and we have collaborated with AKAN and the occupational health service to help them get back on track.
- We believe in people, and we've seen how much trust and support matter. We've missed the mark a few times, but when we get it right, it gives us a huge amount in return - both for the person concerned and for us as a company, concludes Dag Arne.