Dalarna Science Park's In Dalarna initiative is driving the work of the Dalainitiative to attract older talent to industry in Dalarna. Today, the initiative received the Swedish Marketing Association's Senior Talent Award for its work. The award, which was established in 2021, recognizes actors who counteract ageism and value senior skills.
Dalarna Science Park owns and runs the In Dalarna initiative together with Hitachi Energy, Boliden Garpenberg, SSAB, Stora Enso Fors and EcoDataCenter. The aim is to strengthen industry in Dalarna, Sweden's next growth region, by ensuring access to the right skills. The Dalarna Initiative is about utilizing the senior talent that is often rejected in recruitment processes around the country.
- This award is proof that Dalarna is leading the way. When we open doors for experienced employees, we strengthen both innovation and skills supply. The green transition in Dalarna is currently developing at a pace that means we need all the skills. Because without the right skills, not only our industry, but also Sweden's development and growth will stop," says Angelica Ekholm, CEO of Dalarna Science Park and spokesperson for the Dalarna Initiative.
Companies driving the work in Dalarna
The participating companies in the Dala Initiative are SSAB, Stora Enso Fors, Boliden Garpenberg, EcoDataCenter and Hitachi Energy. Together, they show in practice how age diversity and experience can be translated into better recruitment, stronger teams and increased innovation capacity. As an example, the Dala Initiative highlights partners such as Stora Enso Fors and the need to make the most of all skills, as well as the strong skills influence of Hitachi Energy in Ludvika.
- For us, this is an important issue as we are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit the right skills in several professional categories. At the same time, we need diversity in our workforce, not only in terms of gender and ethnicity, but also in terms of age, to bring in different perspectives. We cannot afford to exclude a large group of people. At SSAB in Borlänge, we have over the past 1.5 years successfully hired at least 20 people who are 55 plus, many in critical roles such as managers, project managers and technical specialists," says Frida Björnbom, Learning & Development Partner, SSAB.
Justification
This year's winner of the Senior Talent Award in the organization category goes to the Dala Initiative.
From local press to parliamentary debate and national campaigning, from the industrial floor to the boardroom, the winner has helped move the issue of ageism from tacit acceptance to high-priority action. In a time of strong growth and high recruitment needs, all available skills need to be utilized. By making senior employees visible, the perception of age and work capacity can change. Through mentoring, age-mixed teams, recruitment of 60+, skills development for all ages and a vibrant learning culture, the foundations have been laid for lasting change - and inspired others to follow suit.
Behind the "Dala Initiative" are Dalarna Science Park and the "In Dalarna" initiative, which together with a number of private and public actors have joined forces to promote Dalarna as a modern career region.
Read more on the In Dalarna website
With the Dala Initiative, we make the most of all skills
By making use of all skills, we strengthen Sweden's competitiveness
About the prize
- Senior Talent Award presented by the Swedish Marketing Association
- The 2024 winners were ICEHOTEL (company), the Swedish Police Authority (organization) and Ingmar Skoog (individual). Read more here
- The jury is chaired by John Mellkvist, Secretary General of the Plus Commission.
- The award was presented on September 10.
