Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan is considering launching a programme to train welders for employment in Norway and other Nordic countries, where demand for the specialists is estimated at 4,000–5,000, the Migration Agency of Uzbekistan said.
The issue was discussed on 12 November 2026 during a video conference between Migration Agency Director Mukhsinkhuja Abdurakhmonov and Norwegian expert Erik Eng.
Eng estimated that the European labour market as a whole needed around 30,000 welders. The talks focused on training specialists to meet international requirements and prospects for arranging their employment abroad.
Uzbekistan proposed launching a specialised programme at one of the country's technical colleges. Training is expected to use Norwegian educational methods and modern equipment.
The first stage under consideration involves training and certifying 10–20 instructors. The proposal also includes arranging one- to two-week practical placements for them at industrial facilities in Norway.
The instructors would then be able to train welders directly in Uzbekistan.
Eng stressed that holding an ISO certificate alone did not demonstrate that a specialist was ready to work in high-tech industries. Jobs at offshore oil and gas facilities, wind energy companies and other industrial sites require advanced knowledge of industrial safety and occupational health and safety.
Welders must also be familiar with specialised technological procedures. The sides proposed including these requirements in the future curriculum.
The Norwegian expert expressed readiness to develop a preliminary two-stage training programme for instructors and welders, with relevant specialists expected to take part.
The sides also discussed possible cooperation with European vocational education centres and participation in joint educational projects, including through the Erasmus+ programme.
Eng said he had professional contacts with educational institutions in Romania, Hungary, Spain, Germany, Slovenia and Croatia. These connections could be used to explore potential joint initiatives.
However, funding sources and specific implementation arrangements for the programme have not yet been agreed.
The sides separately discussed a possible visit by the Norwegian expert to Tashkent on 30 November 2026. During the trip, he is expected to examine the facilities and equipment at technical colleges, discuss curricula and conduct practical sessions.
They also proposed exploring cooperation with Norwegian specialists in nursing, fisheries and electrical engineering.
The programme's parameters, funding sources and employment arrangements will be determined in further negotiations.
