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UNI's Swedish affiliate SEKO started a training program for unemployed youth, which is now carried out together with five major ICTS companies in Sweden as well as the National Employment Service.



The Swedish telecom industry has witnessed strong growth the past few years and has become a major factor in the country’s economic development. The government has also set a goal that 90% of Swedish households should have access to optical fibre by 2020.



While the need for skilled workers is increasing, the industry faces a labour shortage. Last year, when snow and winds paralyzed the networks, the companies had to call on retired and foreign technicians to restore communications. In the next five years, about 25,000 technicians will also retire.



To ensure competency in the industry, SEKO and the largest service providers – Eltel, Empower, NTS and Relacom – as well as the network owner Skanova developed a joint training and internship program together the National Employment Service. Over 50 young people have already been attending the program, and the goal is to train 300 youth by 2013.