From Oslo to Mo i Rana: Miles, milestones, and memories

After spending my entire life in France, it was time for a change. My journey to Norway began in the summer of 2023, when I spent three months working at NORCE Research in Grimstad through the Erasmus programme.

I’m passionate about outdoor activities, so Norway was an obvious choice. But I quickly realised this country offers much more than beautiful landscapes.

A few recommendations later, I discovered Elkem and its Technical Trainee programme.

First rotation: Headquarters and beyond

My first rotation was with the maintenance team at Elkem’s headquarters in Oslo, Norway. Building on my studies and previous maintenance apprenticeship at a chemical plant, this was an ideal mix of hands-on learning and big-picture understanding.

I worked across several sites to help develop a more consistent approach to maintenance, learning how different teams operate and where we could improve safety and reliability.This included trips to Bjølvefossen, Bremanger, and Thamshavn, which brought the process to life beyond diagrams and reports. Seeing the equipment up close and meeting the people who keep it running made it easier to understand the daily challenges and make informed decisions back at HQ.

At the end of this rotation, all trainees met in Mo i Rana for a winter gathering. It was a great opportunity to share experiences and hear about the different projects happening across Elkem. The visit also included a tour of the Elkem Rana plant, which would become my next rotation, making the transition smoother and building my excitement for what was coming next.

A bike, a map, and a very long ride north

Before moving on to my second rotation, I returned to Oslo for two weeks and decided to take on a challenge I had been dreaming about: I would bike from Oslo to Mo i Rana over Easter break. I bought equipment, prepared the route, thanked colleagues for my first rotation, then it was time to go.

Over ten days, I travelled through small coastal towns, quiet mountain passes, and long stretches of spring light, carrying everything I needed on my bike. The first days were a mix of excitement and uncertainty, but the snowy landscapes and perfect weather made them enjoyable. Although the second half of the trip brought tougher weather and tighter timelines due to Easter ferry schedules, the views were worth it - as were the morning encounters with reindeer and moose.

As I packed my sleeping bag for the last time, it felt strange to be finishing. Even though getting out of the tent each day was not always easy, I already missed the rhythm of the road.

At the last ferry dock, I expected the usual curious looks from drivers, but instead I met another bikepacker who had also started in Oslo. We rode the final stretch together in pouring rain, sharing stories and laughing about the challenges along the way. She continued all the way to the North Cape and then to Portugal, an inspiring reminder of what is possible.

Those days on the bike taught me not to overthink things. You cannot control everything, but you can choose how you respond. Stepping outside my comfort zone showed me that we are capable of far more than we imagine — a lesson I’ve carried into my work and future projects.

Rotation in the north

Arriving in Mo i Rana, it was time to trade my bike helmet for a hard hat and get to know the Elkem Rana plant. After onboarding, I spent time across several teams, from maintenance to production and process responsibility.

One of the highlights was getting involved with the TappingMate project, a new robot system which helps operators tap the furnace more safely, which is important when the tapped metal can reach 1800°C.

I supported the maintenance side of the implementation, helping make sure the equipment was properly integrated into our systems and that we had a clear plan for keeping it running reliably. It was a great learning experience that brought me into contact with many different teams, from operations to purchasing and suppliers.

Working on TappingMate showed me how much collaboration goes into even a single improvement on site, and how technology and safety go hand in hand in daily operations. It was exciting to contribute to a project that will make a real difference for the people working closest to the process.

A new opportunity

At the end of my second rotation, a position opened at Elkem Rana, and I had the opportunity to jump into the interview process. I was offered the role, so in agreement with the trainee programme manager, I ended the programme slightly earlier than planned and transitioned into my new role: Maintenance in Business (MiB) Engineer at Elkem Rana.

Looking back

The last two years have taken me in unexpected directions. Moving to a new country and adapting to a new culture came with a lot of questions, but also many highlights. I’ve explored Norway’s landscapes while running, biking, skiing, and travelling with friends and family, and tried things I never expected, like ice climbing, knitting, and chasing the northern lights. Learning the language has been the toughest part but also very rewarding — I’m thankful for those around me who have helped me learn along the way.

I stepped out of my comfort zone, and it has certainly been worth it. I now feel ready to start a full-time career and life in northern Norway! I would like to thank all my colleagues and friends for making the experience so memorable. My advice for future trainees is simple: be curious about the unknown — this is where you have the most to learn.