From ‘designed in Norway’ to ‘made in Norway’

As a concrete step to address this need, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, in collaboration with the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), has developed a new one-year study programme in production management. Executive Operations Management (EOM) is a part-time, two-year programme designed for skilled workers, engineers, and others with relevant experience who seek to develop their leadership capabilities in the field of production.

A study programme in high demand

Interest in the programme has been high. With well over 60 applicants, it is clear that the need for expertise in production management resonates widely. At Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, internal interest was quickly apparent, and the spaces reserved for employees were filled shortly after the application portal opened. The programme is structured to be compatible with full-time work, making it particularly attractive to employees with operational experience who want to take the next step towards leadership roles.

With Daryl Powell at the forefront, the programme has gained a strong academic foundation. Powell has extensive experience from Norwegian industry – including from SINTEF and earlier roles at KONGSBERG. As professor for the EOM programme at USN, he combines solid academic expertise with practical insight, and is particularly recognised for his knowledge of lean and production management.

"He has a highly respected background and is a well-known name in the field. We are confident that we have found the right person for the job," says Bråthen.

Practical grounding and real-world challenges

Daryl has long wanted to step into a professor role, but he hadn’t expected the opportunity to come so soon. Originally from the UK, he came to Norway as a research fellow in 2009 to pursue a PhD at NTNU. – I fell in love with the country, and the rest is history, he says.

In preparation for the start of the EOM programme, he has conducted a comprehensive international review of existing educational offerings in production management – covering 30 courses across 16 countries. In addition, he has organised an industry focus group where representatives from various companies have provided input on today’s needs and competency gaps – as well as what challenges they expect to see in the next five years.

"Our job now is to take this further and tailor a study programme that meets the needs of industry. It’s not just about teaching theory, but about making theory useful. “Real problems, real learning” – that’s the pedagogy."

Daryl emphasises that production must be seen as a strategic resource for Norway – not just a question of cost. "We often say “designed in Norway,” but it must also be “made in Norway.” If we want to build resilience, be more self-sufficient, and ensure sustainable deliveries, we need to bring more of the production back."

He points out that production accounts for around five percent of Norway’s GDP, while in some countries, like Ireland, the figures are significantly higher. "This shows that it’s possible to change this, but it requires investment in competence. EOM is a part of that."

Looking ahead, much of his focus is on building on the foundation that is now being laid. The ambition is for the one-year programme to expand into both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, with the needs of Norwegian industry shaping the content.

Daryl also has clear expectations for the students. "They come from the workplace, they have experience, and they know where the challenges are. I hope they show up curious, open, and eager to learn – and above all, that they want to use what they learn to make a real difference in their workplaces."

Stina Lidström, Project Manager Manufacturing at TechnipFMC, has a role that spans a wide range of responsibilities – from idea development and technical work to industrialisation and production. She works on qualifying newly developed products within Controls & Automation and acts as a bridge between engineering, QA, procurement, and production. She also holds ownership of the Manufacturing Readiness Level for several of the company’s newest products and is closely involved in the industrialisation of the so-called All Electric programme.

She was introduced to the programme by her immediate manager, but the decision didn’t take long.

Refreshing existing knowledge and gaining new tools to use in daily work are some of the things she hopes to take away from the programme. She also sees it as a way to develop a deeper understanding of project management and to create opportunities for future growth in the direction she wants. At the same time, she values the social aspect of the programme: "I hope to build new connections that can inspire me and contribute to my development."

A unique opportunity to combine theory and experience

Tian Ringø works as a Team Manager in the Manufacturing Engineering department, where he leads a group of engineers and technicians responsible for production support and technical documentation for, among other projects, the F-35, JSM, NSM, and NH90. In addition to his leadership role, he also has technical responsibility for parts of the F-35 production.

He describes EOM as a unique opportunity to combine theory and experience, and applied to the programme with a clear goal:

For Tian, it’s also about being prepared for the future. "I see myself using this competence to improve efficiency and innovation in my current role. In the longer term, I want to take on greater leadership responsibilities and contribute to strategic decisions that can move the organisation forward."

"I’m impressed by the programme and grateful for the opportunity Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has given me," he concludes.