Malin Crona är generalsekreterare för Beredskapslyftet.
Beredskapslyftet is an initiative that was launched during the covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and has since developed into a non-profit organisation, primarily supported by industry giants Saab, Axel Johnson, Novare, and the Wallenberg company FAM.
During the pandemic, the initiative brought different actors together, enabling 300 SAS employees to strengthen the healthcare sector. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, they have helped over 700 Ukrainians find jobs in Sweden.
– Our vision is to mobilise the business sector during crises and challenges that society itself cannot handle, says Malin Crona, secretary general of Beredskapslyftet.
This week, they have chosen to activate their organisation to help those affected by Northvolt’s cutbacks find new jobs.
– Kristina (Sundin Jonsson, Skellefteå's city manager) contacted us on Friday – and now we are already up and running. This is somewhat similar to what we did when helping Ukrainians find jobs, says Malin.
What Beredskapslyftet will do in practice is match laid-off employees with companies that need to hire. What makes this initiative unique - compared to other matching campaigns - is that Beredskapslyftet’s staff personally review candidates to identify individuals who are a good fit for participating companies.
– This way, recruiting companies don’t have to deal with several hundred applications, which can be time-consuming to sort through. Our staff handle that process, says Malin, and continues:
– Instead, companies receive a smaller selection of candidates before they complete the recruitment process themselves. Additionally, we can provide guidance on the regulations that apply to those coming from other countries.
Northvolt begärdes i konkurs den 12 mars, och framtiden för batterifabriken är högst oviss. Konkursförvaltarna arbetar för att hitta nya ägare.
Signing up as a job seeker or as a company with recruitment needs is completely free. The project is funded by several organisations, including Skellefteå municipality, Hitachi Energy, FAM, Investor, and Novare.
– Beredskapslyftet has funding for five full-time employees until the summer. In other words, this is a very immediate initiative, says Malin, adding that they are primarily targeting non-EU citizens working at the factory.
– There are around 1,400 people with work permits who urgently need to find a new job. We would love to keep their skills in Sweden.
However, for the project to succeed, many companies need to join, which Malin strongly encourages them to do. Today, they have launched a campaign in Dagens Industri and several newspapers in northern Sweden.
– Without companies, there will be no matches, so now it’s up to the business sector to step up and help.
How many people do you think you can help?
– I don’t want to put a number on it, but we will do our very best.
Keeping both the people and their skills in Skellefteå—or at least in northern Sweden—is the main focus. However, they also want companies in other parts of Sweden to join the initiative.
– We know that not everyone will be able to find a job in Skellefteå, so we need to look more broadly, says Malin.
Malin, along with founder Fredrik Hillelson, was in Skellefteå on Tuesday this week. She visited the factory and other key stakeholders.
– Of course, there were mixed emotions there, but at the same time, many dedicated people who believe in the future. The factory itself was also impressive, and I hope it will remain in operation, she says.