Gathering strength to meet the needs of business within IT
An investment in international excellence will counteract the shortage of workforce in IT, which limits the growth of employers in Västernorrland and Jämtland counties. Mid Sweden University and Bron Innovation are now investing on several fronts to solve the skills shortage.
The digitalisation of industry and the public sector is a success factor for the region — but it also places great demands on skilled labour. In the coming years there will be a shortage of 70,000 IT experts in Sweden — and Västernorrland is the region in Norrland that is expected to have the biggest shortage by 2035.
Mid Sweden University and Bron Innovation are therefore making three joint efforts to cope with the shortage of IT workforce in Jämtland and Västernorrland.
— Together with Bron, we invest widely with expertise in the IT field. The business community's need is great, and we are working hard to meet that need, says Mattias O'Nils, research leader at STC — Sensible Things that Communicate.
It involves developing existing training programmes, skills development for professionals and finding ways to recruit foreign excellence to the region through a trainee program.
The international trainee programme aims to make it easier for companies in the regions to employ excellence from other countries. A survey of Bron’s members shows that a large majority are looking for employees who can communicate in Swedish. At the same time, the fact that there is a need to be open to global recruitments is highlighted in order to meet the high skill needs.
— We want to look at more opportunities to manage the IT skills supply in our region. International excellence is an important opportunity, as well as closer links between education and working life and the further development of existing staff. The collaboration with Mid Sweden University on these issues is crucial, says Lars Persson Skandevall, CEO of Bron Innovation.
Information about the three projects
International trainee programme
Mid Sweden University and Bron Innovation will, together with the business community, develop a model for an international trainee program.
The aim is to make it easier for companies in the region to employ international excellence in IT. The trainee program will also consist of courses at Mid Sweden University as well as social activities and courses in Swedish.
The feasibility study is funded by the European Social Fund.
Read more about the study
International trainee programme
KOLL — Competence through lifelong learning
Is a two-year project to increase and develop the students’ contacts and experience with business and industry and strengthen the opportunities that they remain in the region.
The project is aimed at education in computer science, automation and electronics at Mid Sweden University. Among other things, it can be about developing the educational offer in AI — an area with high demand in the business world.
Read more about the project
Competence supply through lifelong learning
DRIVEN
Is a four-year project where Mid Sweden University together with 23 companies will develop short courses for professionals in data-driven development. The first courses will start in the spring, including IoT and network security.
Read more about the project
DRIVEN - Expert Competence for Data-Driven Industrial Transformation
Contact persons:
Mattias O'Nils, Director of Research Centre STC, Mid Sweden University, + 46 (0)10-142 87 80
Lars Persson Skandevall, CEO of Bron Innovation, +46 (0)70–666 42 53