Matic Telic photographed at Scandic Hotel Skellefteå
I’m having coffee at the Scandic Skellefteå with Matic Telič, who moved here from Vienna in January. For some, the process of relocating to Skellefteå can take a long time, but this wasn’t the case for Slovenian-born Matic.
In November 2023 a friend told him that Northvolt were hiring, and his move happened quickly. He openly confesses that he was in a very dark place having recently suffered a relationship breakup and then learned he was about to lose his job.
– I really had nothing to lose back then. I even tried to get some of my friends onboard, but they were not as willing to leave their comfort zones, their partners and apartments. Of course, they had more reasons to stay than I did.
I tell Matic that he’s brave to make the move alone, but he simply shrugs and takes it in his stride. Before moving to Vienna, he’d spent seven years working in Bratislava, Slovakia, so he’s been living abroad as a foreigner for 8 years now.
How have you made friends as a newcomer?
– One thing I noticed as soon as I arrived, was that there were a lot of people from my home country Slovenia, also lots of Czechs, Slovakians and Poles. A colleague at Northvolt asked me how I felt about all the foreigners. I replied saying that I don’t think they’re foreign to me. They’re my people.
How have you settled here?
–You want to feel secure as quickly as possible, so it’s important to get registered at Skatteverket. During my free time I have found places that match my hobbies, including joining a running group to get to know other people (Skellefteå AIK Friidrott Löpning) and joining a gym (Nordic Performance Center Skellefteå, beneath the Scandic Hotel).
How about the climate?
– I often joke that I never really liked snow. But then I came to Skellefteå and almost immediately fell in love with the place. The fresh snow and the forests had a therapeutic effect on me.
Do you have a recommendation, a "Secret Skellefteå" tip for other newcomers?
–Taps& (Nygatan 57) is a good place to meet new people, has a wide selection of drinks, great pizza and pool.
Matic Telic photographed at Scandic Hotel Skellefteå
How do you like working at Northvolt?
– I work in the clean and dry room in production, so we must wear protective clothing from head to toe.There are a lot of departments that work with chemicals, so you need to be protected. I actually think the clothing looks kind of cool. When I started, I took a selfie and joked with my boss that it would make a fun Tik Tok post! He quickly told me that was not allowed!
How have you adjusted to the shift hours?
–The shift schedule can be intense, and many people find it hard to adjust. For me, it was perfect because it gave me less time to ruminate and overthink about my troubles. You have your work schedule, your sleep schedule, your gym schedule. The routine has been a good thing for me. It has allowed me to regroup a little, and I’ve looked at it as a new start.
How do you feel about Northvolt at the moment?
Even if Northvolt doesn’t end up the way I want it to, and they tell me I have to go, I will still thank them very much. They fixed my past, gave me a present, and because of them, I have a future. Moving to Skellefteå saved my life.
Matic Telic photographed at Scandic Hotel Skellefteå