Sabina Hoppe
In January 2024, Sabina Hoppe began her role as head of environment and energy at Northvolt, a pivotal position within the battery company. She was tasked with expanding the department from four to 18 employees.
– At that time, everything was at its zenith; everything was excellent.
During the spring, Sabina assembled a diverse international team.
– It was a 50/50 mix of Swedish and international employees. The culturally diverse environment, with each individual contributing their unique experiences, was remarkable.
By the conclusion of summer 2024, the team was nearly complete. However, Northvolt was then struck by a significant shockwave: a thousand employees at the Skellefteå battery factory were laid off.
– I lost two-thirds of my team.
The team you had recently assembled?
– I had new hires scheduled to commence, and I had to inform them: Do not come. That was a devastating blow. I had employees in tears. They were left adrift.
As a manager, it was challenging to be unable to provide support or offer insight into future developments.
– Because I was equally uninformed.
The bankruptcy of March 12 came as a complete blindside to those within the company.
– On the contrary, there were numerous contrasting signals. Employees were confident that bankruptcy was improbable. The situation was arduous, but further funding was anticipated, Sabina says. This difference between internal signals, and the eventual outcome, created a feeling of betrayal.
Northvolt was declared bankrupt on March 12. Now, the future is uncertain for many of the thousands of workers who have spent years building and commissioning the battery factory.
There was a prevailing sentiment of continuous progress. However, she had begun to harbour doubts. Having returned north for the Northvolt position after an extended period in the south, she faced a commute from Luleå and the responsibilities of two teenage daughters.
– I was uncertain whether leaving was the correct decision. But I have my two daughters, and I desire to spend time with them. I was unsure of the future trajectory, but I required stability for my family.
She recounts that many colleagues and fellow managers remained, confident in a positive outcome.
– I find it incredibly disheartening. There are so many exceptional individuals employed there, Sabina says.
– They assembled a team of top-tier talent from across the globe. Everyone is deeply dedicated and perceives their work as profoundly significant.
Since January this year, Sabina has been head of the environmental protection unit at Länsstyrelsen Norrbotten.
She still thinks about her old Northvolt colleagues.
Sabina Hoppe thinks that what has happened to Northvolt is tragic, but she feels most for the employees who now risk being lost to the Swedish labour market.
She particularly reflects on those who relocated from distant parts of the world to Skellefteå. Where will they go now?
– Many are native English speakers, which presents a challenge in securing employment here.
Sabina expresses frustration with companies that maintain a strict Swedish language requirement.
She believes northern Sweden, which is experiencing a critical shortage of skilled workers, risks forfeiting a valuable opportunity to retain the talent now dispersing due to Northvolt’s insolvency.