From midsummer and Dala horses to modern career region
In Dalarna, the green industry is growing strongly and there is a great need for recruitment. At the same time, the image of Dalarna is still characterized by kurbits and Dalai horses, something that the "In Dalarna" concept aims to change. When it was recently launched, it was with a clear call from Angelica Ekholm, CEO of Dalarna Science Park:
- Together we will get the message out that Dalarna is an attractive and modern career region. Companies need to be in the driver's seat, so become a partner in "In Dalarna" today.
Ann-Louise Larsson from Dalarna Science Park has led the project.
- Over the next five years, Dalarna needs to recruit almost 4 000 technical talents. At the same time, growth in the technical sector is generating new jobs in the public sector, subcontractors and other parts of the business community. This means that the total recruitment need amounts to 30 000-40 000 people.
International recruitment
Competition for technical talent is fierce, and across Sweden, particularly in the north, many regions are sharpening their offerings. One example is Skellefteå, where Northvolt is building a battery factory to be completed in 2026 and where the population is expected to grow by 25% over the next ten years.
Peter Möller is an analyst at Region Dalarna and one of the speakers at the launch event. He is skeptical about Dalarna's chances of succeeding with the challenging recruitment target.
- We find it difficult to recruit today and it will only get worse. In the short term, it is only through international recruitment that it can possibly work. We also need to help people who are currently outside the labor market to get in. New methods are needed and more flexibility is needed," he said.
Inclusion is important
During the subsequent panel discussion, representatives of both large and small companies participated together with the President of Dalarna University and young engineers. The panel agreed that a combination of efforts is needed to meet the recruitment needs of companies, but also that there are many factors that speak for Dalarna.
- We are seeing a boost in Ludvika that we have never seen before. We currently have 60 nationalities working with us," said Håkan Flink, Hitachi Energy.
Raiman Darman, one of the young talents, thinks there are great career opportunities in Dalarna. The problem is that the opportunities are not sufficiently known. Raiman herself looked up NKT in Falun where she wrote her bachelor's thesis and was later able to advise her brother and his friends to apply for summer jobs at the company.
- They had no idea that NKT existed.
Using Raiman's example, the panel touched on the fact that even services that do not require higher education need to be marketed.
- We must also continue to work on inclusion and diversity. We need to get better at taking care of the new people who come here, so that they stay," said Mia Eriksson, SSAB.
PR and lobbying in progress
The "In Dalarna" concept will be the basis for promoting Dalarna as an attractive and modern career region.
The platform now includes a common toolbox with images and texts that showcase Dalarna in a new way - a concept that is based on our proud history, but focuses on the present and future.
Angelica Ekholm, Dalarna Science Park, wants to see more companies using the toolkit and more actors working together to tackle the major recruitment challenge.
- Now we need to work more with PR, lobbying and marketing, so step in as a partner now and contribute to Dalarna's future and skills supply.
Toolbox
In Dalarna - partnership
- PR, lobbying and marketing for Dalarna as a career region.
- Access to an extended toolbox of marketing materials to use for your recruitment.
- Possibility to use the In Dalarna concept with all materials in their own contexts.
- Company presentation on indalarna.se and in related social media.
- Access to existing networks and national initiatives for talent attraction.
- Exposure with selected vacancies on social media.
- Participate in 4 partner meetings per year with the opportunity to influence In Dalarna's content and marketing activities.
Changes can be made by agreement.
Cost
25 000-200 000 SEK/year depending on the size of the company.
Some of the material will be open for everyone to use for recruitment and location marketing .
Contact us
Ann-Louise Larsson, Project Manager, Dalarna Science Park
070-695 62 92
ann-louise.larsson@dalarnasciencepark.se
Angelica Ekholm
070-209 82 17
angelica.ekholm@dalarnasciencepark.se
