A step into consulting

Hans Blåsternes Vedø is glad he took the step to become a consultant at Omega 365.

“This job suits me well; I like to have a greater influence on my own workday,” he says.

Hans Blåsternes Vedø is responsible for mechanical completion (MC) for the F&G, and ESD systems at the Jotun project in Stavanger. The production ship is currently undergoing a major upgrade.

“My job here is to check that everything involving fire and gas is built and installed according to procedures and requirements. We check that everything is in order regarding the various work packages we will hand over,” says Blåsternes Vedø.

He has a background in plumbing, and worked at Aibel in 2006 as a plumber. In 2009 he completed studies within automation as a private student and has since worked his way up through the system. After many years in Aibel, where he ended up having the role as Loop Coordinator, he decided to change the course of his career. In January this year he started as a consultant in Omega 365 Consulting.

“I registered my CV in the Omega system in 2017, when I first started to think seriously about whether or not consulting jobs could be something for me, but then I got a permanent MC position at Aibel and put the idea of consulting life on hold for a bit.”

More influence over daily life

Last year, when the pandemic reached a calmer period, and the market was stabilizing, Blåsternes Vedø thought it was time to try something new. He contacted department manager Arne Gunnar Habbestad in Omega 365 and set the process in motion.

“It can seem a little scary to go from a permanent and steady job to a less-predictable schedule as a consultant, but I was pleasantly surprised at how many jobs were available in the Omega system, and how many could be relevant for me. As a consultant you have a lot of opportunities. A permanent job is not necessarily secure if the company does not have enough assignments,” he states.

“I am confident that this was the right choice for me. You can control your own work day to a greater extent. If you are permanently employed, you are likely to be good at a few specific areas, and it is often the case that you work within those areas going forward, which can be monotonous. As a consultant you can test out a position, and if it is not for you, Omega 365 will assist you in finding something else that suits you better.”

Department manager Arne Gunnar Habbestad points out that Hans has many of the qualities needed to become a good consultant.

“Personality is important; you need to be confident and self-driven. It is important that the consultant believes in himself, and that he can make a difference in the job. This is of course in addition to the professional knowledge and experience needed for the job,” Habbestad says.

“Consultants often have to adjust to new situations and assignments, and it is important to be confident when meeting situations like this. Hans is good at keeping his cool, and has found his place as a consultant very quickly. I remember thinking that he would be a skilled consultant already upon meeting him for the first time,” says Habbestad.

Good work environment

Hans appreciates the good work environment at Omega 365, even though he has not been employed for long.

“Through Omega 365’s Advantage program, you can travel for team events with other employees and extend your network in the company. You earn points that you can use on other team events, or book holiday houses,” he says, and shared that he just discovered that a couple of colleagues on the same project are also Omega 365 consultants. “It was a bit funny; I didn’t know in advance.”

“It was a bit funny; I didn’t know in advance.”

Blåsternes Vedø lives in Torvastad on the island of Karmøy, in Norway, and commutes daily to Stavanger for the project. It may be an option down the road to have an apartment in Stavanger.

“The situation suits me well and the company is flexible. It’s okay with a few days of home office when needed,” he says, with his family in mind, but emphasizes that he would prefer to be in the office where the social aspect is at the center, and he can quickly get in contact with colleagues.