Oluf himself has a degree in civil engineering within ICT, with a specialization in machine and systems engineering. But there are many different backgrounds that can lead this kind of work.
“My people have a very varied background,” says Oluf, who sees it as a strength that the expertise is complex. “They are often recruited from a specific professional discipline, where they have built up experience and expertise, which is an advantage when you have to understand how this is connected.”
Some have experience from IT and software architecture, mechanics, machinery and electronics, industrial design or from engineering in construction. Both theorists and practitioners will fit in, as long as they are willing to learn, take responsibility and have the ability to work with development.
Many of the employees are also recruited through the Industrial Master's course at the University of Southeast Norway (USN), where the students work half of the time in the industry, and write their Master's thesis based on a specific and relevant case from the company in question.
In the division where Oluf works, as many as 14 out of 15 industrial master's students have gotten a full-time job after their studies.