Theme: Vocational training for the future

Newsletter from the Nordic Labour Journal 8/2023

Photo: Magnus Fröderberg/Norden.org

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?

2023 Nordic Council – dominated by security policy

More defence and security politics in the Nordic Council, but hardly any new money. It is still unclear whether the three autonomous areas can become full-fledged members. Only Sweden opposes a dedicated council of ministers for transport. That is how you could sum up this year’s Nordic Council session.

The Nordic Council worries about lack of experts in the labour market

The Nordic Council believes now is the time to fight for Nordic youths’ future. Their exclusion from education and the labour market, alongside a lack of specialists, worries politicians. The Nordic Council is also taking steps to address the increase in cruise ship tourism.

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.

Norway faces tough competition for green expertise

Norway lacks the necessary competencies for a successful green transition. The Vocational School in Oslo is trying to do something about it.

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.

Renewcell awarded the Nordic Council Environment Prize for clothes recycling

Swedish company Renewcell has won the 2023 Nordic Council Environment Prize for its groundbreaking solution for recycling and reusing textiles into new clothes and products.

Iceland’s Labour Minister: Challenges of a fair green transition must be faced together

Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson has been Iceland’s Minister of Social Affairs, Labour and Nordic Cooperation since 2021. In that role, he has led Iceland’s Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers this year and will chair a summit with representatives from Nordic trade unions, employers and governments in Reykjavik in December.

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.

Denmark and Sweden on the barricades over pilots and crew compensation

Denmark and Sweden are once again out defending the Nordic labour market model. This time it is about a new case before the EU Court questioning whether cabin crew receiving lower allowances than pilots constitutes gender discrimination.

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.

Greenland: New legislation to secure improved working environments

Working environments in Greenland should improve after new labour legislation sharpens the focus on mental well-being and imposes higher fines for companies that break the law.

Kick-off for the Future of Work in Vilnius

Five Nordic research projects on the future of work recently held a joint kick-off event in Vilnius, Lithuania. NordForsk has provided 15 million Norwegian kroner (€1.28m) in funding. Lithuanian researchers are participating in two of the projects. Åland also has an independent role.

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