Micael Silenstam kicks off Spouse Days, January 2025.
If you're new to Skellefteå and looking for work or support as you settle in, Welcome House Skellefteå offers a range of services and events tailored specifically to help newcomers. One of their key offerings is the quarterly Spouse Days, which provide both valuable resources and a chance to meet others in similar situations.
I attended the latest Spouse Day, where the focus was on giving newcomers the tools to continue their education or prepare for the job market. These events are packed with useful information, tips, and opportunities to connect with people who can help guide you through the process. The next Spouse Day will be held in April, and I highly recommend attending if you’re new to the region or looking for ways to improve your career prospects here.
Support for entrepreneurs and new business owners
One of the highlights of the event was a virtual session with Sima Haddadin, a representative from Nyföretagarcentrum, Sweden’s centre for new businesses. Nyföretagarcentrum offers a wide range of support for anyone thinking about starting a business, from writing a business plan to setting up a budget and understanding the types of businesses you can register.
Sima walked us through the basics of running a business in Sweden, including the differences between an aktiebolag (limited company) and an enskild firma (sole proprietorship). She also explained the importance of joining an A-kassa, Swedish unemployment funds.
Sima Haddadin, Nyforetagarcentrum.
– If you lose your job, it’s important to have your income insured through A-kassa to receive unemployment benefits, she explained.
For those interested in starting their own business, Sima explained that Nyföretagarcentrum offers free guidance, courses, and advice. They also provide information on applying for EU funding and loans, which can be critical for new businesses trying to get off the ground.
Spouse Days, January 2025.
Sima shared some wisdom on what it takes to be an entrepreneur in Sweden.
– When people come to see us and ask if their business idea is a good one, we always say it’s not about the idea, it’s about the person. We’ve had 20 people ask if their idea to bake or start a food business is viable. But which one of them actually does it? It’s about daring to fail. It’s safer to fail in Sweden because you’re starting from zero, and if it doesn’t work out, you just close the company, she said.
Campus Skellefteå and its role in education and innovation
Torunn Törnblom, Welcome House Skellefteå.
Another valuable insight shared at Spouse Days was the work being done by Campus Skellefteå, which is quickly becoming a cornerstone of education and innovation in the region. Torunn Törnblom from Welcome House Skellefteå spoke about the exciting developments taking place at Campus Skellefteå, which is poised to play a key role in the region’s educational landscape.
Spouse Days, January 2025.
The new Arctic Centre of Energy, set to open in 2027, is one of the most significant investments in the region. Torunn also highlighted the launch of the Skellefteå Universities Alliance (SUA), a collaborative effort to bring together various higher education institutions to promote innovation and academic excellence.
According to Torunn, SUA aims to be a hub for innovation, with a focus on spreading new knowledge quickly and supporting collaboration with businesses in the region.
Torunn Törnblom, Welcome House Skellefteå.
In addition to its educational offerings, Campus Skellefteå is a community hub that includes a café and restaurant open to the public.
– The Campus library is a great place to visit if you can’t find something at Sara kulturhus. It’s open from 8am to 10pm, so it’s ideal for those working during the day, said Torunn. The facilities at Campus Skellefteå are available to the community, making it an accessible space for all.
Centrum för Vägledning (CV) is another key resource located at Campus Skellefteå, providing guidance on education and career development for adults. Lina Andersson and Johanna Hagström from CV shared how they assist newcomers with information on how to further their education or find job opportunities in Sweden.
Lisen Kostet and Melina Spetz from Konsultia.
– We’re here to help those with uncertain careers or who want to expand their knowledge. We also assist newcomers to Sweden with education and career opportunities, said Lina.
For those seeking to have their foreign qualifications recognizsd, the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) is another important resource. Lina emphasized the role UHR plays in evaluating foreign qualifications, ensuring newcomers understand the equivalency of their education in Sweden.
Sofia Sturesson, Welcome House Skellefteå.
Women Welcome Skellefteå
One of the most inspiring parts of the day was hearing from Anna-Klara Granstrand, one of the founders of Women Welcome Skellefteå, a group formed to foster social sustainability and gender equality.
The group was founded 18 months ago and has already made a significant impact by offering a space for women in Skellefteå to meet, share experiences, and support one another.
Anna-Klara Granstrand, Women Welcome Skellefteå.
– We meet every Tuesday lunchtime at Hubben for a free lunch, and we also offer a range of activities like sewing, Zumba, yoga, and meditation, said Anna-Klara.
The group’s relaxed and friendly atmosphere makes it a great place for women to connect and feel a sense of belonging.
– Our goal is to make women in Skellefteå feel welcome, supported, and empowered, she added.
Job market insights from local recruiters
Several local recruitment companies participated in the event, including Wikan Personal and Konsultia. These companies provided helpful tips for job-seekers on how to tailor their applications and increase their chances of success.
Andreas Ögren from Wikan Personal.
Andreas Ögren from Wikan Personal shared his tips for writing a CV:
– Keep it short – one page is enough. Focus on the three main things you’ve done in your previous jobs, he advised. He also emphasised the importance of including a photo on your CV, noting that it gives recruiters a better sense of the person behind the application.
– Photos are a good idea because they help us make a connection with the applicant, Andreas said.
When it comes to interviews, Andreas offered some valuable advice:
– Be open and honest. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge your weaknesses. Employers appreciate authenticity.
Finally, Lisen Kostet and Melina Spetz from Konsultia, a recruitment company specialising in the industrial sector, also provided their insights. Lisen emphasised the importance of including your driver’s licenses and other relevant certifications if you’re applying for jobs in industry.
– We want to know what you’ve done, what you’re doing now, and what your strengths and weaknesses are. If you’re applying for a job in industry, include your driver’s licenses, Lisen said.
Spouse Days, January 2025.
Personal stories from newcomers
The event was also a great opportunity to hear from some of the newcomers in Skellefteå who are navigating the job market or considering starting their own businesses.
Sofiat Asifa with her son Rayyan.
Sofiat Asifa, a qualified nurse from Nigeria, moved to Skellefteå 18 months ago.
– Nursing is a regulated profession in Sweden, and the process to practice here can take a while, especially with a non-EU qualification. Right now, the language is my biggest barrier, even though I’m learning Swedish through SFI, Sofiat explained.
Despite the challenges, Sofiat remains optimistic about her future in Sweden.
– I’ve applied for a job program that combines work and language training in healthcare and social services. I’m optimistic about my future here, she said.
Zyan Ramos, from Puebla, Mexico, shared her desire to start a business in Skellefteå.
Left, Alma Rivera and right, Zyan Ramos.
– I’ve noticed how much Swedish people love beautiful things in their homes. I’d like to import traditional Mexican items – like embroidered clothes and decorations – to bring a piece of my culture to Sweden. I also know that Swedish people love candy, and we have some of the best in Mexico, Zyan said. She expressed how helpful the event has been in navigating her entrepreneurial dreams:
–Today has been great. I no longer feel lost. The programmes and the support I’ve received have made me feel secure. It’s a good starting point.
Alma Rivera, another newcomer from Puebla, is also looking for work in Skellefteå.
– I’ve been working towards financial independence for a long time, and I’m eager to start my career here. I’m also learning Swedish, as I know it will be essential for finding a job in my field of information security, she said.
Alma is determined to break into her field, but she acknowledges the challenges of the language barrier.
– I’m open to exploring new career paths, though, if needed, she added.
Udeagha Iwuchukwu Michael, a baker from Nigeria, arrived in Skellefteå just a month ago.
Udeagha Iwuchukwu Michael.
– I want to integrate into the Swedish system and learn the language. I started baking when I was 16, and I’d love to continue here. If I get a baking job, that’s perfect. If not, I’m open to anything, Michael said. His dream is to one day open his own bakery, offering his unique bread recipe to the local community.
I think it will be well-received here, he added.