Engineering and design company AFRY is looking to hire an additional 25 employees at its Skellefteå office to meet the competence requirements for the green transition, says Lisa Vedin, business area manager for the process industry division within AFRY.

– There are currently 35 people in the Skellefteå office, and we need to have 60 people within two years.

This move by the company, which works in all sectors of industry, infrastructure and energy in Sweden, is prompted by Skellefteå's rapid growth, in which several of its divisions play a significant role.

By helping prospective employees with housing and work permits, they aim to encourage people to move to Skellefteå to work.

– There are many advantages to living in the northern parts of our country. We need to encourage both Swedes and people of other nationalities to move to northern Sweden.

Otherwise, says Vedin, the green transition is threatened by a lack of skills.

– We see what is happening and what our customers need. Skills are an important challenge as we work to save our planet.

The focus is on northern Sweden, she says.

– It is impressive to see how Skellefteå municipality and other stakeholders want to develop the city. And we want to invest in Skellefteå.

– We also want to highlight Skellefteå's strengths in our marketing.

According to a survey conducted by the company, many people want to live in a medium-sized city.

– In the survey, we asked people between the ages of 18 and 30 how they would like to live in the future. The majority want to live in a mid-sized city, and that's the wave we're trying to ride.

The company is looking for workers of all kinds for its Skellefteå office.

– We need everything from architects to process engineers. In Skellefteå we see a need for many different skills.

Increasing diversity is something the company actively promotes.

– We have structures and people responsible for diversity. I think we're seeing a change in attitude, both among our customers and within the industry. Ten years ago it was a challenge for our customers to accept someone who spoke English coming in, but now it's more open.

The company is also looking to increase its presence at universities.

- In Umeå and Luleå, among others, we can do a better job of having representatives from our offices on site. This is something we are working on.