Champions the Next Generation
Investing in youth, ocean innovation, and local communities
The future of the maritime industry begins with today’s young people. That is why VARD invests in initiatives that spark curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving among the next generation.
The Ocean Challenge
HAVutfordringen (the Ocean Challenge) is an innovation camp that invites youth across Møre og Romsdal to tackle real maritime challenges. Organised by Ungt Entreprenørskap (Young Entrepreneurship), VARD, and several other key players, the camp gathered nearly 1 000 ninth-graders and first-year high school students from across the county.
The result was a success. Over several days, the eager students worked to solve three different maritime challenges presented by the business community. The six classes with the strongest solutions were invited to a final day at Vard Langsten in Tomrefjord, where the top two — one from each age group — each won NOK 10 000 for their class fund.
Three Real-World Challenges
The Winners
An innovative idea to reduce ghost nets by attaching a GPS tracker with an auto-float element to fishing nets. Jury Leader Ronny Opsjøn Langset, Yard Director at Vard Langsten, called it “a simple solution to a very big problem” — useful for both private individuals and the industry, and entirely realisable.
A method to harness ocean energy while protecting marine life. Their idea: attach a large screw beneath bridges to capture tidal energy between the pillars — avoiding disruption to boat traffic — and convert it into electricity for charging electric vehicles on land.
The Ripple Effect
VARD’s presence reaches far beyond the shipyard. Each VARD employee generates measurable ripple effects that sustain local communities, schools, and services across Norway.
Source: DNB Ringvirkninger
Student Evening — Pizza and Possibilities
The local community matters to VARD. Last November, the shipyard hosted a Student Evening at Vard Søviknes, where 10th-grade students and their parents were invited to a hands-on introduction to career opportunities in vocational education and shipbuilding. Around 70 participants showed up.
The evening began with pizza and a warm welcome from Yard Director Arnt Inge Gjerde. Afterward, students put on coveralls and safety gear before setting off on an activity route aboard VARD’s NB 982 for Norwind Offshore and through the production areas. Enthusiastic employees acted as guides while their apprentices welcomed the groups at each station, demonstrating and explaining their trades.
Meanwhile, parents stayed in the cafeteria with coffee and valuable information from Production Manager Arve Krogsethagen and Supervisor Steffen Skaget. The Apprenticeship Office (Nåopp) also gave a presentation about the apprenticeship system and pathways available to the students. When the groups returned, the evening closed with photos from the route, a prize draw, and an honest talk about life as an apprentice by Petter Sønderland from Vard Electro in Tennfjord.
With its long coastline and maritime heritage, the business community in Møre og Romsdal is uniquely positioned to engage youth in thinking about sustainable ocean solutions. VARD is proud to be part of that future.
More about VARDSources
- VARD
- Ungt Entreprenørskap — Havets beste utfordrere
- Arnt Inge — from Apprentice to Yard Director
- Nåopp
- VARD (including Vard Electro)
- DNB Ringvirkninger