RUS in Pajala: "Too few can take jobs"

Pajala Municipality was the last stop on the long RUS tour through the county, where we discussed Norrbotten's path to 2040. It was a day where both the municipality's problems and developable strengths were highlighted. - The fact that we are few is both a good thing because then you know everyone, and a problem due to a lack of competence, said Petter Särkijärvi, system administrator at Pajala Municipality.

Questions related to the municipality's demographics were a major part of the discussions during the workshop in Pajala. The municipality has an aging population of 5 people. Unemployment is 885 percent, compared to the national average of 2,2 percent. These are challenging conditions for development, and the discussions turned to what is needed to reverse the trend.

“There are too many jobs and too few people who can take them,” Petter Särkijärvi summed up Pajala's problem with labor shortages.

Petter Särkijärvi recounted the discussion at the table, highlighting, among other things, the shrinking population and the resulting labor shortage.

Housing shortage

Add to that the lack of housing, and it's difficult to address the problem.

– There is a shortage of housing and it is expensive to build, it costs as much here as in big cities. It will be risky to build and take out loans from the bank. And we do not want a fly-in, fly-out municipality, said Birgitta Rantatalo, municipal councilor in Pajala municipality.

Municipal councilor Birgitta Rantatalo gave a picture of the situation in the municipality.

In an attempt to address the housing shortage, Pajala Municipality has developed a proposed detailed plan for a residential area with single-family houses. The area has an attractive location near the Torne River with a short commute to both the mine in Kaunisvaara and central Pajala. However, the lack of public transport and rail connections is hampering the municipality's development.

Rantatalo highlighted the quality of life Pajala can offer: less stress and a safe environment to live and raise children in. But how will the municipality reach out with that image?

Regional Councilor Linda Jonsson (V) spoke about how we ourselves in Norrbotten must rethink how we present our place.

“Get pictures with people”

– We need to work on the imagery. Today there are too many images of landscapes and forests. There are too few images with people. We need to show that we are an integrated part of society, said Linda Jonsson, regional councilor (V) in Region Norrbotten.

Håkan Kero, member of the regional development committee (KD), highlighted that we need to get better at welcoming new people, inviting and inviting along. The people of Norrbotten are social at work, but introverted in their free time. The Hej campaign in Luleå was highlighted as an example. So was the community and drive in Pajala's villages.

Håkan Kero in conversation with workshop leader Kristin Hammarberg, RISE.

– The enthusiasts have a great power for villages and the municipality, even though citizens may not be aware of the enormous value, said Birgitta Rantatalo.

The airport is an important resource

The municipality and the mining industry are the largest employers, but the forestry industry also provides many jobs. Pajala Airport, which is run by the municipality, has great potential. It is centrally located for many companies and tourist facilities. There are scheduled flights to Stockholm and Luleå, charters from the UK around Christmas. Private flights, ambulance flights, taxi flights and helicopters also use the airport.

Despite the resource that aviation provides, the business community in Pajala has potential for improvement. The breadth of industries is low, 21% of all industries are located in the municipality. For Pajala Municipality, it is a priority to work with a greater breadth of industries and, in the long run, a wider range of jobs, goods and services.

Region Norrbotten's employee Joe Lindehag presented statistics relating to the municipality, including that Pajala municipality has the fourth largest contribution to Norrbotten's GRP (gross regional product).

In the latest ranking of business climate, Pajala came in 286th place out of 290 municipalities.

– There are things that could be improved on the part of the municipality – the way in. The contact must be good. That you are called by the right person or referred to the right person, said one participant.

Almost no youth unemployment

Despite all the challenges, the municipality has hope for the young people. Unemployment among them is extremely low, perhaps five people. 88 percent of those who start upper secondary school have completed their education within three years, a high figure both nationally and in Norrbotten. And quite a few can imagine a future in the municipality.

– We have asked today's 9:ers. 63 percent will stay in Pajala, 20 percent want to come back after having been in other places for a few years. So over 80 percent of today's 9:ers will be Pajalab in the future, said one of the participants in the workshop about the future of Norrbotten.

Text: Sara Stylbäck Vesa, Isa Camara Ponturo
Image: Anton Sandberg