Unemployment remains high in Sweden and for many unemployed, the path to work is far too long and difficult, according to the government. In the autumn budget, investments of a total of 524 million kronor are proposed for measures that will strengthen the opportunities to get a job.
The national vocational education, which has existed as a pilot project, is being extended and will receive more money. A total of 150 million kronor per year from 2026.
”The volumes must increase”
In addition, the government wants to see more places at the university college. For this, they are allocating 180 million in 2026.
When fully developed, this means an investment in approximately 5,000 new places from 2028, says Minister for Upper Secondary School, Adult Education and Training, and Research Lotta Edholm (The Liberals).
The government is also extending the establishment jobs, which are intended to help new arrivals and long-term unemployed get jobs. In 2024, only 32 people got jobs through this model.
We are clear here that the volumes must increase. Too few have taken part in such jobs before, says Minister for Migration Johan Forssell (The Moderate Party).
11 million is allocated in the budget for 2026 and the sum is proposed to increase significantly thereafter. Forssell notes at the same time that a condition is that the labour market parties also extend their agreements on establishment jobs and that the EU Commission gives its approval.
Swedish language
The Employment Service will also receive more money, 100 million kronor next year. This is to improve matching and control of job seekers.
The Centre Party is critical and believes that the government's investments do not go far enough.
”One is throwing even more money at establishment jobs, whose catastrophic results have only led to a few people getting jobs”, writes the party's labour market policy spokesperson Jonny Cato in a text message.
”One is investing a small trickle in vocational education where the needs are enormous. Where is the rest of the plan?", writes Cato.
