UPDATE: 13:20
It is important that those who lose their jobs register with Arbetsförmedlingen.
– It is only then that you can take part in the support system, says Anja Palm.
Patrik Sällström, regional development director at Region Västerbotten, explains their involvement with the municipality and county board to support affected employees and companies.
He emphasises the region’s need to retain skilled workers, as the lack of talent is a major obstacle to growth.
The region is continuing its efforts to assess the needs of businesses and workers affected by layoffs.
UPDATE: 13:10
The project also offers administrative support to employers in applying for work permits.
– Many employers are unfamiliar with this process, says Anja Palm.
– We will also provide Swedish language training and mentorship support in the workplace for the newcomers.”
The project prioritizes sustainability and gender equality.
– This is important to the municipality, says Palm.
– The project started in November and will run until the end of the year. We will then evaluate whether to continue it.
UPDATE: 12:55
Anja Palm, head of the business office at Skellefteå municipality, talked about a new matching project that aims to bridge the gap between skilled individuals from non-EU countries and local businesses.
– It focuses on helping people who may not have qualified for regular unemployment support due to insufficient work experience. The initiative involves recruitment consultants facilitating job placements, aiming to tap into the skills of new residents while supporting local businesses that are in need of talent.
This effort is aimed to highlight the potential of newcomers to contribute to the local economy while addressing labour shortages.
UPDATE: 12:30
City manager Kristina Sundin Jonsson opens this week's press conference.
She says that three letters have been sent to the government from the municipality, Region Västerbotten, and Länsstyrelsen, addressing the Northvolt situation.
The first letter proposes that Migrationsverket develop a plan to allow highly educated individuals from non-EU countries to remain in Sweden.
– We view the green transition as crucial to addressing climate change, but it's also essential for Sweden's competitiveness, Sundin Jonsson said.
– We currently have a highly skilled workforce that could easily leave Sweden, while at the same time, significant investments are underway in this country.
The second letter proposes creating an internationally competitive growth cluster for battery manufacturing, electrification, and the automotive industry.
– We believe that combining the knowledge of electrification and battery production in Skellefteå with the automotive industry in Västra Götaland could lay the foundation for a world-class research and innovation cluster, Sundin Jonsson said.
– We see this as a golden opportunity for the government to transform the Skellefteå region into an education, research, and innovation hub, she added.
The third letter concerns the Norrbothnia line.
– We hope to receive a swift start notice for this project, said the city manager.