The future of the construction industry

Implenia is always on the lookout for new talent, and we’ve struck gold with Sunniva Hamsund, Victoria Sandnes, Marit Mjøsund, and Jonas Berner. They all work at K2D Fornebubanen and have been highlighted by the management as the promising youth who will lead Implenia in the future. We spoke to them to hear how Implenia lets them develop and succeed in their roles. 

Why did you choose to work at Implenia? 

Sunniva Hamsund: I thought it seemed like an exciting workplace where you’re given responsibility and get to challenge yourself. There are many challenging projects and it’s inspiring to take part in building Norway. 

Victoria Sandnes: I applied for a summer job with Implenia because I thought their projects were very interesting and complex. It was a good fit and I chose to write my master’s dissertation about the project (K2A Fornebubanen). The path to employment was short after I graduated. 

Marit Mjøsund: I had several career opportunities but chose the position at Implenia because I wanted to work with construction execution in order to get a deeper understanding of tunneling operations from beginning to end. I wanted to work on a construction site where I could apply what I’d learned from my studies in practice. 

Jonas Berner: One of the reasons I applied for a job at Implenia was their commitment to sustainability and that it’s a workplace where an environmental engineer can make a huge difference. Fornebubanen is an exciting project with strict environmental requirements. I had previously worked at the Norwegian Environment Agency so that was important to me.

What’s the best thing about working at Implenia? 

Sunniva Hamsund: Implenia seeks to accommodate our needs and lets us manage our own time. The people here are very knowledgeable, which I find inspiring. The projects are big and complex, and Implenia is an ambitious company. I think the reason that we have so many skilled people is that we are very thorough in the employment process. Our management choose the people with the right competence and outlook. There’s a good mix between younger and older people, and there are employees of both genders on projects. There are mostly men, but my experience is that there are also many very capable women here. 

Victoria Sandnes: I like that I can manage my own workday and that I can be out on the construction site as much I want. I enjoy being down in the tunnels to follow the work there and that has taught me a lot. When you work within quality you interact with many different fields of expertise, and you have to cooperate across them – this suits me perfectly since I love learning! 

Marit Mjøsund: To be where it’s happening, when it’s happening, is the best part. Working together in order to coordinate various operations on the project is both inspiring and instructive. I like that the work is varied and that every day is different. I’ve been given a comprehensive understanding of how you work on a complex infrastructure project, and it’s fun to be a part of creating something that will stand for a long time. 

Jonas Berner: There’s a lot of excitement on the project and always a lot of activity. Everyone has to pull in the same direction, and that’s fun. It’s inspiring and motivating to learn new things, and it has been a very instructive transition going from the public to the private sector. 

How are the opportunities to develop? 

Sunniva Hamsund: They are very good. The learning curve was pretty steep in the beginning, but now it has flattened somewhat. I’m still hungry to learn and progress and I try to partake in as much as I can. My experience has been that management wants to set us up for that. My plan is to take a part-time Master of Management beside work so that in the long-term I can get more leadership responsibility and take part in improving processes. 

Victoria Sandnes: The workday on the construction site is varied and unpredictable, so there’s always something new to learn. You work closely with experts who are very knowledgeable, and you learn a lot from them. There are also opportunities to rise within the company if you wish. There’s an inclusive work environment that encourages us to share our knowledge, and I think that there are many good opportunities to develop professionally. 

Marit Mjøsund: You develop all the time in this job since every day is different and there are always situations that you’ve got to handle. I’m a geologist, which I think is very exciting, and it’s fun to acquire a broader understanding of how you use that subject in practice. 

Jonas Berner: If you do a good job then it’s noticed, and you’re immediately given more responsibility. I like that a lot. In Implenia we also have network meetings across projects where we exchange experiences and knowledge, which also allows you to get acquainted with other parts of the organization. 

Why would you recommend working at Implenia? 

Sunniva Hamsund: Because there are so many great opportunities to challenge yourself and get responsibility, while you at the same time have the support from your leaders. 

Victoria Sandnes: It’s a workplace where a lot happens and that’s a lot of fun! There are many young people and a good work environment. My colleagues are good at answering my questions, and I’m always encouraged to ask if there’s anything I want to know.

Marit Mjøsund: Implenia invests a lot in complex projects, so you get much practical experience from one project. You really get to test your abilities and that’s a good place to start your career. 

Jonas Berner: Implenia has a nice and inclusive work environment combined with a high level of expertise. You’re warmly welcomed and trusted right away.

Implenia’s promising talents