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Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.

Factsheet for measure SE-2020-14/704 – Updated – measures in Sweden

More opportunities for VET

Fler möjligheter till yrkesutbildning

Country Sweden , applies nationwide
Time period Open ended, started on 30 March 2020
Context COVID-19
Type Legislations or other statutory regulations
Category Promoting the economic, labour market and social recovery into a green future
– Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.)
Author Anna-Karin Gustafsson (Oxford Research) and Eurofound
Measure added 16 April 2020 (updated 07 August 2020)

Background information

As unemployment is expected to rise as a consequence of the COVID-19 outbreak, the government is increasing opportunities for further education/training throughout the country. This will include increased funding to regional vocational adult education and reinforcement of vocational higher education with new places, short courses and course packages, as well as various kinds of pilot projects so that more people can complete their qualification. Additionally, folk high schools will be expanded, with full financing from central government and possibilities for distance learning will be improved, partly through additional support to education providers in vocational higher education in terms of distance teaching, and partly by making more distance courses available via study associations.

Content of measure

The measure of introducing more opportunities for vocational education and training throughout the country will include the following budget posts:
1. Increased funding for regional vocational adult education (SEK 0.70 billion) 2. New places in vocational higher education (SEK 0.25 billion) 3. More courses and course packages in vocational higher education (SEK 0.08 billion) 4. Vocational higher education flex (SEK 0.04 billion) 5. Support for distance teaching (SEK 0.01 billion) 6. Expansion of folk high school (SEK 0.08 billion) 7. Investment in study associations (non-formal adult education) (SEK 0.03 billion)

The measure was announced on April 30, but exactly when new places and courses will be available it not yet clear.

Updates

The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.

09 July 2020

Investments in the education system increase the intake of students in 2020 by 1,500 in the vocational adult education system, 2,500 in the vocational system and 500 in the folk high school.

Use of measure

It is too early to say how many will be making use of the reinforced VET opportunities.

Target groups

Workers Businesses Citizens
Unemployed
Does not apply to businesses Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors Funding
National government
National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

Trade unions Employers' organisations
Role Informed Informed
Form Not applicable Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

  • Unknown
  • Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

The social partners are not involvfed in designing, implementing or monitoring this measure.

Views and reactions

No information available.

Sources

Citation

Eurofound (2020), More opportunities for VET, measure SE-2020-14/704 (measures in Sweden), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/SE-2020-14_704.html

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