Former manager moves from Lithuania to Norway for new challenges

The 53-year-old planned to move to Norway and contacted EURES Lithuania, which put him in touch with EURES Norway Member Nav Trøndelag. Mamertas met with a seafood processing company, Hitramat, in Trøndelag. Mamertas now works in its crab sorting and packaging department. ‘I like the clearly-defined job functions, the clarity of the process and the help of colleagues,’ he says.

Mamertas made the move together with a group of friends. ‘Norway is a beautiful country where we can not only earn money, but also admire nature,’ he says. It was a challenging step to take as a mature worker – but one that Mamertas encourages others to consider. He welcomed the new challenge and ‘the opportunity to realise yourself even at 50 years old.’ His advice to others is to ‘trust in yourself. Especially for older people, don’t be afraid to rediscover yourself.’

Vita Aleliune, HR manager at Hitramat, says: ‘As someone originally from Lithuania myself, I remember very well how stressful moving to Norway can feel and how many small but important questions people have. When I spoke with Mamertas, I recognised that same mix of excitement and worry that many newcomers feel. After joining Hitramat, Mamertas said he felt well prepared for both work and life in Norway and that he trusted us.’

Mamertas continues: ‘In Norway, I like the respect employers have for their employees, and the comprehensive assistance they offer with both work and accommodation issues. It isn’t difficult to adapt – you just need to learn the Norwegian language, which is what I am currently doing.’

Vita says the seafood industry offers stable seasonal work, good pay and a clear structure. She explains that many jobseekers like the teamwork and the international environment. But, she adds: ‘The work is physical and can be demanding, especially in the beginning, and working hours can change depending on deliveries and weather. That is why good training and support during the adaptation period are very important.’

Support from EURES

Jurgita Trapuilienė, at the EURES NCO at Lithuania’s Public Employment Service Užimtumo tarnyba (UZT), says: ‘Mamertas’ story is a true example of courage, adaptability and lifelong learning. His experience shows that age is not a barrier when one is motivated to embrace new challenges.’

Jurgita says she enjoyed supporting Mamertas as he found his role. ‘I liked being part of his journey – from the first conversation with the employer to the job offer. It is meaningful to support people during such an important moment. Also, I appreciated the opportunity to connect the right candidate with the right employer. It is satisfying to see both sides benefit. It motivates me. Moments like that remind me why I value and enjoy working in this field.’

Being open-minded and proactive is important when considering such a move, says Jurgita. ‘Working in another country can be one of the most enriching experiences – it helps to grow, gain new skills and to see your potential from a different perspective. And with the right support from EURES, the transition becomes much smoother.’

Anne Grete Dahlen, senior EURES Adviser at Nav Trøndelag, says learning Norwegian is important for jobseekers who are interested in moving to the country. ‘It improves workplace integration and is essential for many sectors, such as health, education and childcare,’ she says. She also suggests spending leisure time in the local community, for example through sports and cultural activities.

Currently, Norway has strong demand for workers in the seafood industry and in healthcare where there are vacancies for nurses, doctors and dentists. In addition, there’s demand in tourism, transport, childcare and education.

EU plans to combat ageism

This mobility success story comes at a time when the EU is recognising the need to address ageism more systematically. The proposal for an EU Action Plan to Combat Ageism outlines nine flagship initiatives, from improving legal protection to EU-wide efforts that counter age stereotypes.

Find out more by reading about how the EU is supporting older workers.

Further information:

EU Action Plan to Combat Ageism

How the EU is supporting older workers

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