Last week's episode of Dalarna Talks offered the audience a real energy boost in the form of exciting guests, audience records both digitally and physically and important conversations about innovation and regional growth. The tone for today's discussions was set by none other than Dalarna's strong man in the government, Minister of Defense Peter Hultqvist.
The hybrid event Dalarna Talks premiered in the fall of 2021 and has since grown in popularity. Thursday's program was the sixth in order since the start and the theme for the morning was "Innovation". How can we in Dalarna secure our region's future innovations and what can an innovator in Dalarna need to succeed? On stage were representatives from Northvolt, which recently decided to establish itself in Borlänge, and Hitachi Energy, which is continuing its expansion. What expectations do they have of Dalarna?
The Prime Minister generously offered his reflections
Opening the program and setting the tone for the morning's discussions was Minister of Defence Peter Hultqvist. The Minister generously offered his reflections on Dalarna's strengths in attracting new exciting industries and what regional initiatives are required for continued growth. Hultqvist particularly emphasized the railway and transport opportunities as important strategic issues.
- It is important that this is high on the county's agenda and that these issues are promoted in various contexts. The transportation issues linked to heavy industry are extremely crucial. These are key issues to deal with for the future.
The investments now taking place in our region and the jobs being created both at Hitachi and at Northvolt in Kvarnsveden are, according to Mr. Hultqvist, proof of the inherent strength of our county.
- It shows the respect that exists for our region and for the workforce, knowledge and experience that exists in Dalarna.
Skills supply becomes a key success factor
Marcus Ulmefors,Northvoltand Håkan Flink,Hitachi Energyboth representatives of Dalarna's innovation and growth, both emphasized the importance of future skills supply as a success factor in both establishment and expansion. "The whole county must recognize the importance of being able to welcome not only the immigrant workforce, but also those who come with them. Therefore, additional skilled jobs, attractive housing and well-functioning sustainable infrastructure must also be secured.
- An important thing to keep in mind is that we will of course hire very locally, around Sweden but also globally. We will need global experts. These people often bring partners and family with them, most of whom do not speak Swedish but are often high-performing superstars in their fields," says Marcus Ulmefors, Northvolt.
Marcus also emphasizes that it is important for Dalarna's companies to already think about having recruitment ads in both Swedish and English. If you are at the forefront and prove to be receptive to non-Swedish speakers, you can gain access to a candidate pool of high-performing people who will soon come to Dalarna.
Maud Hallmans,Invest in Dalarna Agencyspoke about the importance of collaboration for the entire region to be able to mobilize and prioritize correctly when new industries are to succeed in Dalarna. Per Sjölander,Borlänge Municipalityand Erik Odens,Ludvika municipalityagreed on the importance of working together in a time that is currently characterized by great optimism for the future for the whole of Dalarna.
Tobias Degsell, future visionary, concluded with quick, thoughtful reflections on the day's discussions and praised the hybrid format that allows Dalarna Talks to reach far beyond Dalarna. As usual, Dalarna Talks was moderated by Angelica Ekholm, CEO,Dalarna Science Park.
Did you miss the program? You can find the program on YouTube via the link below.
