The civil engineer who went offshore

Initially, he planned to become an architect but decided to pursue civil engineering to be closer to construction. At OsloMet, he organized the Business Days and interacted with AF through career events and mobile games. In 2019, Jonas Guriby Dahl and five fellow students won the first round of the AF Collective.

– Winning the final and living together afterward built great camaraderie among us. We didn't know each other before, but we bonded over dinners, runs, and visits to AF projects. It was an incredibly fun time.

Several members of the AF Collective had summer jobs at AF. Jonas and two other winners were offered permanent positions.

– I applied for a job at AF Byggfornyelse where I had a summer job and had gotten to know many nice people both in the project and through the time in the AF Collective.

He began as a project engineer for the award-winning Vannkunsten residential project in Bispevika, which features 215 apartments in nine uniquely designed buildings. Jonas enjoyed working on this major development in Oslobukta. After its completion, he pursued new challenges and became the operations manager for the Sanner-kvartalet rehabilitation project in Grünerløkka, overseeing progress and finances across multiple disciplines.

The thought of trying something new began to emerge over time. Jonas did not want to leave AF Gruppen, and the solution was an internal transfer from AF Byggfornyelse to AF Offshore Decom. He assumed the position of Project Engineer, with his responsibilities closely associated with AF Miljøbase Vats located outside Haugesund.

– The offshore operations at AF are incredibly exciting and removing oil installations in the North Sea is very interesting.

He encourages colleagues to explore the opportunities available internally within the various units. There are many opportunities for personal development and good chances to grow, learn, and participate in exciting projects, Jonas believes. He commends the HR manager at AF Byggfornyelse for effectively supporting the employees and helping him identify the most suitable career path.

– AF's HR resources have been vital to my career, even before I was hired. Their commitment to investing in students has significantly impacted my personal growth.

Annette Strøno, HR Recruitment Manager, states that internal mobility is a key focus and there are many opportunities within AF Gruppen.

– Facilitating internal mobility is crucial for retaining young talent and ensuring future growth. Providing development opportunities across various companies and units reflects our commitment to employees' careers and demonstrates the numerous paths and possibilities available to them. The breadth and flexibility of these opportunities make us an appealing workplace for this important target group, according to Annette Strøno.

Jonas is responsible for preparing job packages for demolition and recycling operations on offshore installations that arrive at AF Miljøbase Vats via cargo vessels. He ensures that the tasks are executed in accordance with the selected methods and customer specifications. Although he primarily works at the headquarters in Oslo, he occasionally travels to the Miljøbase near Haugesund and has also undertaken offshore assignments.

– Flying out to the North Sea and landing on the cargo vessel was fun, unique, and a bit scary.

Jonas is also involved in a team working on an environmental research project that aims to upcycle maritime steel for use in the construction industry. AF Offshore Decom has received funding to investigate how this steel can be utilized directly in construction without requiring it to be melted down.

– Conducting assessments to determine if steel products from decommissioned ships or platforms can be repurposed for use in new constructions is groundbreaking work. It is both highly rewarding and inspiring to contribute to such initiatives.

When asked about his long-term career plan, Jonas states that he has not given much thought to his future path.

– Currently, the focus is on growth, learning, and engaging in exciting projects. Naturally, more responsibility will come over time.

He aims to further his development within AF Gruppen and utilize his potential fully.

– AF is a large, well-organized company with various opportunities for personal development. If you are interested in exploring different roles, consider inquiring with another unit about available opportunities, Jonas suggests

(This article was first published in Norwegian 09.10.2024)