American electrical engineer moving to norway

Spurt 15:26 - 2.3.2015 av Matt|Siste svar 18:35 - 10.4.2015 av Mont

Matt

Hi there. I hope you don't mind me writing in english. My norwegian is very very poor.

I'm an electrical engineer (tradesman) currently residing in Sacramento California, USA. After some google translating I came across this site.

I'm playing with the idea about moving to Norway to live there for a few years, since I have family there, and I want to learn the language. And there's a few practical things I wonder about continuing my trade in Norway.

What laws and codes are governing electrical personell in Norway? And are foreign electricians considered qualified in Norway? Or do I need to recieve some form of authorization?

Are there any available courses in english to familiarize myself in norwegian electrical codes?
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Svar (6)

Tom

Postet 18:36 - 2.3.2015
Hi Matt.

Foregin electricians are considered qualified in Norway, there is an authorization managed by DSB (Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection ) that you must have in order before you apply a work as electrical personel.

To start off the process, send an email to: postmottak@dsb.no
with your questions, I assume that you will get a contact person who will help you from there on.

_______________________________

This is regulated in FEK§ 21
https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2013-06-19-739



Regards

Tom

Forumleder

Postet 17:50 - 3.3.2015
Thank you Tom!

NULL

Postet 21:36 - 9.3.2015
You've got some pretty good answers to your questions in earlier posts.

But as for the english speaking courses you queried, it seems Trainor has just what you're looking for.
http://www.trainor.no/servlet/Klasseromskurs.store?f=classroom

Although they are classroom courses you have to partake in person. But that wouldn't be a problem when you arrive, now would it.

But be aware that european norms and standards are a completely different animal from american codes. But I think you'll get a hang of it pretty quick. The electrotechnic aspect of it remains the same of course.

So there is plenty of sources of information you need to join your fellow electricians here in Norway.

Good luck and welcome. We need more electricians.

Regards

Daniel. Half australian actually

Matt

Postet 17:24 - 17.3.2015
Thank you guys.

To be honest I didn't expect any answers as I came along here writing in english.

But now I know what department to ask, thanks to Tom. I'm going to compose an email shortly with all my questions and send it to them.

This doesn't seem like such a far fetched idea than it was a week ago.

What are the job opportunities in norway in this trade? Is there a demand for electrical workers or is the market rather saturated with low demand?

In what way is european norms a different animal than american, Montor?
I'm prepared to adapt to your standards and I guess it's back to the classroom. I'm a quick learner.

When I get more a hang of norwegian I will be sure to check out this forum some more. It seems like a great source of information.

Thanks a million, guys! This was just what I needed.

Mont

Postet 18:19 - 10.4.2015
To say it this way, you will not be unemployed being an electrician in norway. With growing demand for new homes there is always lots of work for electricians doing their part building them. There is always a position to fill so the demand is always there. And then we have the industry that needs electrical personell to maintain their systems.

As for how different european and norwegian standards are from american, it's more than I can possibly describe in a post. It's not hard or anything. It's just different in so many ways. And I'm not that familiar with american standards either, but all I know is that it's very different. But I do know, after speaking to american electricians, that american codes are more governed by different rules and codes that are absolute. You do that like this and that's that.

Very similar to how it was before here in norway. When here in europe it's more goal oriented today. Our codes gives us more freedom. The regulations requires us to follow an accepted norm and standard. While the different standards are what dictates the technical aspect of it. So there is many different approaches you can chose.

Personally I think it's more flexible this way.

Mont

Postet 18:35 - 10.4.2015
Please correct me if I'm wrong about how it works in the united states. This is your backyard and not mine.

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