“It is by working together that we will achieve success”
The shortage of labor is one of Norrbotten's most urgent problems. But if we do not have a clear and detailed picture of the problem, it will be very difficult to solve. Therefore, a comprehensive survey is now being initiated. In the project Kompetensarena Norrbotten, Region Norrbotten brings together important actors in a joint effort.
Janus Brandin, Regional Development Director, Norrbotten Region. Photo: Simon Eliasson
Unemployment in Norrbotten is low, retirements are high, and the proportion of people of working age is decreasing. At the same time, industry is growing rapidly and needs more and more labor.
– Put it all together and you have a perfect storm – which is growing in strength. All the expertise that exists in the region needs to be used in the right way, and we need to be more. There are no shortcuts, says Janus Brandin, Regional Development Director in Region Norrbotten.
If we are going to weather the storm, we need to lay a solid foundation to stand on. What do our employers really need in terms of personnel – not just today, but in two years? When the recruitment need arises, it is often too late to act if the right skills are missing. That is why employers are now being asked to respond to a survey. We need to know the needs of the future today, in order to have the right people trained in a few years.
– If we are to achieve success with a strategic skills supply effort, then it is extremely important that we get a clear picture of the needs of the county's employers. Only based on a proper survey will we be able to design training courses that match these, says Janus Brandin.
The Norrbotten Region has been given the responsibility by the state to lead the work on regional development in the county. And without a well-functioning supply of skills, development stagnates. If we cannot get people with the right skills in the right place, we risk growth, culture, service, healthcare, schools and social care. The problem affects us all, and must be solved in broad collaboration.
– Together we create a force for progress. No one actor can solve this on their own. We are joining forces with the county's municipalities, and with education authorities, to take a strong stance on these issues. It is precisely because we join hands with each other that we will achieve success, says Janus Brandin.
With Kompetensarena we are building for the future. We are creating working methods and structures that will live long after the project ends.
– This will land in a smarter education arena. With the right measures, we will create a long-term viable Norrbotten, says Janus Brandin.
Text: Sara Stylbäck Vesa
About the survey
The survey is digital and will be conducted in the fall of 2025, starting in October.
Here you can find more information about the survey.
Kompetensarena Norrbotten is a project that aims to manage the county's increasing skills needs as a result of the extensive industrial establishment in Norrbotten.
The project is run by Region Norrbotten in collaboration with the county's municipalities and business companies, Akademi Norr and the Lapland Municipal Association. It is funded by the European Social Fund, ESF+.