Train-the-Trainer Workshop in Norway: Traditional Work Ethic as a Catalyst for the Workplace of Tomorrow
From June 2 to 4, 2026, an intensive train-the-trainer program took place in Tynset, Norway, as part of the EU project “Old Labor Virtues for Shaping the Working World of Tomorrow.” The training was developed and conducted by the Institute for Applied Industrial Research and brought together project partners from several countries for a practical exchange of ideas.
The focus was on how traditional work virtues can be harnessed anew for small and medium-sized enterprises. Values such as reliability and commitment, a commitment to quality, autonomy and responsibility, community and solidarity, honesty and integrity, as well as knowledge transfer and knowledge sharing are not merely a nostalgic look back, but rather an important foundation for modern work cultures, innovation, and organizational development.
The training program combined four key topics: the KAIN method and the mentoring program, working with the Old Labor Virtues, future scenarios and the SME strategies based on them, and the expectations and needs of Generation Z. The goal was to translate abstract values into concrete, observable behaviors and, ultimately, into small-scale workplace innovation projects.
Values such as reliability, a commitment to quality, and responsibility are often important in day-to-day business operations, yet they can be difficult to grasp. Different people don’t always interpret these terms in the same way. That’s why, with the help of AI, clear cartoons and visualizations were developed to make complex concepts easy to understand. They show at a glance what terms like active listening, knowledge sharing, solidarity, and quality standards can mean in the day-to-day workplace. After all, as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.
A variety of methods were used in the workshop, including card sorting, creative methods for generating ideas, role-playing, peer triads, and active listening. Role-playing, in particular, helped participants better understand different perspectives—such as those between managers and young employees or between experienced professionals and new colleagues. This allowed participants not only to learn about these methods but also to try them out right away.
The two-day training session was marked by active participation, intensive discussions, and great openness on the part of the participants. There was also plenty of opportunity for European networking: conversations over dinner, exchanges with partners in Tynset, and a group excursion to the copper mine in Røros strengthened collaboration beyond the workshop itself.
In the next step, the content and methods developed will be tested, refined, and adapted to the specific needs of each company using a practical continuing education tool directly within the workplace. The goal is to provide small and medium-sized enterprises with long-term support in their human resources, organizational, and innovation development—using traditional values as a resource for the workplace of tomorrow.
