Meet and Match, November 4, 2024.
Emma Forsberg, human resource partner of SSAB. SSAB are based in Luleå. They’re an old company founded in 1941.
Emma said that they aim to make all their steel fossil-free by 2028. They also aim to have company information in English at this time too.
They can employ English speaking people without fluent Swedish, for jobs in procurement and project management. However, jobs in production need Swedish for health and safety reasons.
To help people who lost their jobs at Northvolt, Skellefteå municipality is co-hosting a series of Meet and Match events. These events bring together job seekers and employers with openings.
The first Meet and Match event, held last Friday at Sara kulturhus, attracted a large crowd but was criticized later for being too crowded and chaotic. Yesterday, Norran attended the second event, which was much better organized thanks to the efforts of Skellefteå municipality, Arbetsförmedlingen, and Northvolt.
Over 800 people registered for yesterday's event. Staggered entry times helped create a much calmer atmosphere for both job seekers and businesses. Unlike the first event, there were no long queues.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024.
Another positive change was the use of flags on information boards. These flags indicated whether employers were open to hiring people with limited Swedish language skills. It was encouraging to see many companies displaying both the Swedish flag and the Union Jack, showing their willingness to consider applicants from diverse backgrounds.
We also spoke to several people about their experiences.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024. Left to right; Brilliant Ncube, from Zimbabwe, Erik Sedej, from Slovenia, Omer Mohammed Osman, from Ethiopia.
Mohammed Osman, right above, from Ethiopia, is a former Northvolt employee, and is determined to find a new job in Skellefteå. He attended the first Meet and Match event, hoping to connect with potential employers. But despite sending out 20 applications, he hasn't received any responses yet. Although he speaks Swedish, he needs a work permit visa, which could be a hurdle in his job search. He felt that today's event was much better organised than last Friday's.
Erik Sedej, center above, from Slovenia, worked at Northvolt as an operator in cathode coating. He previously worked as a full-time football coach for 20 years. He is in talks with Skellefteå FF
– They want me to be part of the football club. Although there is no formal job offer at the moment, it looks promising.
Brilliant Ncube, left, from Zimbabwe.
He still works at Northvolt.
– I'm here to support my friends and think about my future.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024. Irena Popovic Zivkovic from Serbia.
Irena Popovic Zivkovic moved here a year ago with her husband, both from Serbia.
At Northvolt she worked as a technical writer for quality related documents.
Irena speaks four languages: Serbian, English, Swedish and Japanese. Irena lived in Japan for seven years, where she worked for a Japanese automotive company and also worked on bilateral environmental projects at the Japan International Cooperation Agency, a governmental agency.
– I’ve talked to all the kommuns here, and they have told me that they may be able to connect me to local companies in their areas, she says.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024. Shahrokh Mehmood, from Pakistan.
Shahrokh Mehmood from Pakistan worked at Northvolt for 13 months as a quality control associate. Prior to this he studied Geology at Lund University.
– Most companies require Swedish. I must have employment before the end of November - time is running out. My ideal job would be working in environmental sustainability, or finding a position at a mining company. There is one job available at Boliden, which I’ve applied for, he says.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024. Cynthia Ochia, is a Swedish citizen and has lived here for six years.
Cynthia Ochia, is a Swedish citizen and has lived here for 6 years.
One of the few non-Northvolt-connected people present, Cynthia currently works as a hemtjänst (home care assistant) however she’d like to find a job in project management. Although she’s fluent in Swedish she says:
– Employers should make it easier for employees to learn Swedish. How about they hire a Swedish teacher to come to employees’ place of work, once a week?
The next Meet and Match event is at Sara on November 18. Register here.
More photos from the event here:
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024. Front left, Martin Burström with Amanda Diamant from Brokk.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024. Shorelink
Left, Lena Fernberg, HR manager, right, Lina Hörnemalm, communications.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024. Line Lindgren of Komatsu.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024. Andrew Obosi meeting Edward Lantz, CEO, Team Norr. Edward told me that their employees do not need to be fluent in Swedish at the time of employment, but they must be willing to learn.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024. Trygghetsfonden TSL.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024. Move Up North.
Left to right; Jennifer Bleibdrey, Sofie P. From and Agnieszka Rombe.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024. Försrarsmakten (The Swedish Armed Forces). Anton Eliasson, recruitment coordinator, told us that you must have Swedish citizenship to join.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024. “We’re an International company, so of course we’re looking for English speakers” says Lisa Pihl of Stegra.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024. Ana Bernardi from Stegra.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024. Cecilia Söderström, center, of Skellefteå municipality, talking to the Move Up North team.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024. Lotta Palmgren Tjärnkvist from TRR.
Meet and Match, November 4, 2024.