In an interview, a newly qualified teacher named Sofia, who has applied for nearly 100 jobs in the last 4 months, says:
Generally, it's quite stressful right now. Financially and socially. I don't just want to sit at home, I want to do what I've studied for and what I think is fun.
There is a general shortage of teachers in Sweden, but there is high competition among job seekers for available positions in Stockholm.
Sofia continues:
I've been applying for jobs since October, but I haven't even gotten an interview.
Sofia has done practical training, but she says that employers want people with work experience, and it feels like the practical training doesn't count, which means you don't get anywhere.
Union urges Stockholm city to hire
David Gustafsson, chairman of the Swedish Teachers' Union in Stockholm, urges the City of Stockholm to take advantage of the newly qualified teachers. He says:
I see that there is a need and that we are still understaffed in some places, and this is an excellent opportunity when we have trained personnel who can't get jobs, hire them.
At the same time, the Swedish National Agencyfor Education's (Skolverket) report shows that there will be a shortage of 10,600 qualified teachers and preschool teachers in the education system by 2038. Which contradicts what is now being reported by Sveriges Radio. The explanation may be that it varies greatly depending on different teacher categories and subjects.
