Doubling trainee programme

The number of traineeships in Statoil will be increased from 25 to 50 in 2006, and the aim is for at least half of those appointed to have international experience.

This expansion reflects the group’s need for expertise and new recruitment. Fifty traineeships are to be advertised in January, both in Norway and internationally.

“It’ll be crucial in the years to come that we get hold of the right people,” says Nickey Berg, senior vice president for corporate human resources.

“That applies particularly with regard to developing our core competence and strengthening the group’s internationalisation process.”

She adds that Statoil’s trainee programme is attractive to students and enhances its recruitment of recent graduates.

“By international experience, we mean candidates who have lived or studied outside their homeland.

“It’s a clear advantage if applicants can speak languages other than Norwegian and English which we use in our international operations.”

The desired expertise of candidates is determined by the business. Trainees with backgrounds both in technical disciplines and in economics are required next year.

Statoil has topped the list of companies in Norway with the most popular trainee programmes several times, and it received more than 2,000 applications for traineeships last year.

Those appointed spend two years acquiring expertise in one functional area as well as a broad knowledge and understanding of the group’s value chain.

Every trainee will do two-four different jobs during this period, including one outside the business area or unit which appoints them.

Ms Berg believes that the trainee programme helps to boost Statoil’s flexibility, since these recruits work in several places and on different jobs.

“Their traineeship provides them with a good knowledge of several business areas and of challenges across the group,” she maintains.