From Malaga to Stavanger: How Jesús found a new life through EURES

When Jesús Ortiz lost his job as a tourist bus driver in Malaga, he didn’t know what came next. Seasonal work had always meant uncertainty, and during the pandemic, everything stopped. Then he heard about EURES.

With the support of the EURES Targeted Mobility Scheme, Jesús moved to Stavanger with his wife and daughter. Today, he works full-time for Connect Bus and has built a new life in Rogaland.

"It has changed everything," Jesús says. "Now I have stability, my family with me, and peace of mind. That means everything."

EURES helped with the job, but also much more. Jesús and his family received relocation support, housing guidance, and assistance with integration. Within weeks, he had started Norwegian language training and settled into a new role.

Christine Joy Utheim, EURES adviser in Rogaland, helped match Jesús with his new employer. "We often say the real impact of international recruitment is not just about filling vacancies," she explains. "It’s about people gaining a secure future and companies gaining committed workers."

Jesús has now lived in Stavanger for several years and has become an instructor at Connect Bus, supporting others who make the same journey. He’s one of about 70 international employees at the company, many recruited through EURES.

In a short film made for EURES’ 30-year anniversary, Jesús reflects on what this opportunity meant. "I can sleep at night. I feel safe. I have it all."

Southwest Norway continues to face shortages in sectors such as transport, construction, engineering, and health. Through targeted efforts like EURES TMS, employers in the region are finding qualified workers abroad, while candidates like Jesús find a new path.

Watch Jesús' story here:

Learn more about EURES and the Targeted Mobility Scheme: