“A well-being Norrbotten benefits us all”

Through the collaboration in Kompetensarena Norrbotten, the community builders Peab want to be involved in influencing the county's skills supply. They see great benefit in mapping and making visible the actual needs for skills – for the company, the industry and the people who live in Norrbotten.

Erik Hagnelöf, HR partner Peab. Photo: Peab.

Peab operates throughout the Nordic region and is a major player in construction and civil engineering in Norrbotten. They are involved in many projects that are currently underway and are always in need of new, competent employees. When recruiting, they compete for the same candidates with many other players.

– There is a lot going on in the county and the biggest challenge is that the supply of labor in Norrbotten is too small. To avoid a fly in fly out situation, we need to increase the skills of the people who are here and attract more people here, says Erik Hagnelöv, HR partner, Peab.

Erik highlights that training aimed at craftsmen and more cross-industry collaboration could contribute positively to the situation. He believes that collaboration between industries can lead to synergies and contribute to both skills supply and migration.

“An engineer that Peab attracts here may have a partner with expertise in another industry. A person who has moved to the county for a certain position and enjoys it here is likely to stay even if they change jobs,” says Erik.

The need for expertise must be made visible

During the autumn, a digital survey will be sent out to entrepreneurs and employers in Norrbotten to map the needs for skills development and recruitment and training needs. The responses will form the basis for efforts within skills supply.

– We need a broad, fair picture of the situation and make it visible, for young people who are thinking about the future and for decision-makers. Together we can influence and find solutions. A well-being Norrbotten is beneficial for Peab and for me as a private person who lives here – it benefits us all, says Erik.

Text: Stina Engman, Brightnest

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+.