The progress

It was primarily two objectives that characterized the project. Firstly, to facilitate for local businesses to meet their skills needs, and secondly, to guide and help participating individuals towards an active working life.

In 2019, the Employment Agency's ”customer center” in Hässleholm was closed to later become part of what is called the State Service Center. This led to several private employers contacting Hässleholm municipality, and it became clear that solutions were needed to help businesses fill their skills needs.

The municipality struggled with many benefit recipients who had work capacity but had fallen through the cracks. By actively working with a two-way method, the project aimed to facilitate for businesses and aid recipients, thereby also improving the socio-economic conditions.

Initially, needs analyses were conducted with various private employers to map out what the skills needs looked like at the time and how they would look in the coming years. The companies were also asked how the project could be helpful for their operations.

Through interviews with project participants, the focus continued on matching participants with companies. Various study visits were conducted at companies, and participants were coached in areas such as CV techniques, active job searching, and preparations for job interviews. Participants have received skill enhancements, sometimes through internships and through OCN methods that deal with basic skills such as how to behave to get a job and to be able to keep it.

A quick look in the rearview mirror shows that the project was so successful that the method has spread in various ways in Sweden and that the operations transitioned to regular activities after the project ended.

One of the goals was that 10 participants would have moved on to studies or paid employment – the final result was about 55 participants! That the companies involved provided participants with a mentor on site is described as a very important condition for the project's success. Through their engagement, the participants were strengthened on their path to self-sufficiency.

The progress helped over 100 people from financial assistance. This in turn also generates a significant socio-economic gain considering that such assistance costs approximately 96,000 kronor annually.