Labour Market
How do we make the right predictions for the future of work?
The Nordic labour markets are doing well. Several of the countries are seeing record employment rates. Meanwhile, there are major changes to how and where jobs are being performed. Global trends like digitalisation and climate change mean new professions and skills are needed. How do we future-proof our education programmes?
Swedish Education Act amended to match labour market needs with education
The current imbalance between supply and demand in the upper secondary education system will be addressed. The aim is to make it easier for young people and adults to access the labour market and improve the welfare and business sectors’ access to skilled labour.
Finland still tempting, but many Estonian workers are returning home
Estonia’s capital Tallinn is a charming city that boasts both medieval sights and rapid development. Not much remains from its period as a Soviet republic. Crossing the Gulf of Finland from Helsinki to Tallinn only takes a couple of hours.
Northeast Iceland's manyfacedet labour market
María Pálsdóttir throws out her arms and exclaims: “Welcome to the hospital!” Dressed in an old-fashioned nurse’s uniform, her joy and enthusiasm are almost out of place. We are, after all, visiting an old sanatorium. This is the story of “the white death” – the tuberculosis that hit the island hard.
Russian rubles in the Faroe Islands’ economy
People on the Faroe Islands are holding their breath these days. At least those working in the pelagic fishing industry. So far this year their export to Russia has been worth 800 million Danish kroner (€107m). Now it might all end, as the Russian fisheries authority has recommended an import ban on Faroese fish products.
Nordic preparedness put to the test
Rarely has the scout motto been more apt than right now. When the leader says “Be prepared!” the scouts answer “Always prepared!”
Sweden’s bus driver shortage puts breaks on society
Good bus connections are crucial for many commuters. But no buses can run without bus drivers. Now, Sweden’s transport sector organisation warns a lack of drivers could have serious socio-economic consequences.
Norwegian helicopter school warns pilot shortage threatens preparedness
Helicopters come to the rescue when extreme weather stops cars and trains. But who will pilot the helicopters in the future? Now several helicopter pilot trainers are warning of poor recruitment figures.
The fragmented working day of a bus driver
Bus drivers come and go. One who has remained in the job is Stefan Andreasson. He got his bus driver’s license 35 years ago and has been driving public transport buses for the same number of years. Now he drives regional buses and a library bus in and around Helsingborg.
Norway needs better flood defences after extreme weather "Hans"
Norwegian companies believe we must expect more extreme weather. The Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise NHO wants more and better preparedness measures. The clean-up after "Hans" means a lot of work for the infrastructure construction industry but less capacity for the construction of new public buildings like schools and care homes.
Billion-euro CO2 capture plan could herald new Danish jobs
Denmark expects new jobs and growth in the wake of the government’s plan for the capture and underground storage of Danish and foreign CO2 in Denmark. Danish businesses have suggested using some of the captured CO2 in new, climate-friendly production processes which could lead to more and better jobs.
Finland’s new government wants major changes to labour law
A new centre-right government started governing in Finland on 20 June after winning April’s elections, and there is now talk of an historic paradigm change. Petteri Orpo’s four party coalition wants to make major changes in the labour market.
The need to facilitate mobility in the Nordics
“My ambition is to make commuting within the Nordic region as unhindered by red tape as possible, both for the worker and the employer. And cross-border commuters should be able to work from home without it having consequences for the amount of tax they pay.”
More culture, less bureaucracy – the keys to a more mobile Nordic labour market
By 2030, the Nordics should be the world’s most integrated, sustainable and competitive region. The open Nordic labour market is key to fulfilling that ambition. But mobility is low and may need to be stimulated by administrative and cultural measures, according to recent research.
Norway tightens rules on hired labour
Norway is tightening the rules on hired labour. Trade unions are cheering while staffing agencies rage and have reported Norway to ESA for being in breach of the EEA agreement.
Scandinavian data centres: fewer jobs and less profit than forecast
New data centres are popping up in Norway and Sweden along with a lot of hope for many new jobs and high returns.
Four new Nordic labour ministers – and their challenges
In 2022, both Norway, Sweden and Denmark got new labour ministers. Here is your chance to get to know them better.
How to include more people in the Nordic labour markets?
If every Nordic country learned from each other’s successes, 700 000 more people could be in work, according to Danish researchers Sarah Kildahl Nielsen and Vibeke Jakobsen.
Nordic men face different challenges from women in non-traditional jobs
Young women training to join typically male-dominated occupations make difficult choices but are also spurred on by family, teachers and politicians and end up with a high-status job. But when young men choose healthcare jobs, they get neither status nor good pay.
The tough road to male occupations in Denmark
Amalie Schwartz is a newly qualified electrician and the only woman in a workplace with 80 people. She is busy changing that disparity every day at work and as an ambassador for the Boss Ladies project.
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