GoGoGo

In 2018, Perstorp municipality was named one of Sweden's most socio-economically vulnerable municipalities. The labor market unit chose to start a project and work more proactively.

From standing far outside the working world to being an active part of it is a journey that takes time. With a working method that took a more active role in the local business community's skills needs, the project aimed to reduce unemployment, increase participation and contribute to the growth of local businesses.

A clear focus of the project was the outreach work towards companies and the networking that this entailed. Through dialogues, company visits and company breakfasts, the skills needs of the business community, both short-term and long-term, could also be concretized and mapped.

The 119 project participants were offered coordinated efforts thanks to the involvement of the Swedish Public Employment Service. The participants received individual guidance and coaching so that they could then be matched with the needs of the companies and equipped with the sought-after skills. Recruitment meetings, interviews and study visits led both to new internships and in some cases, at the companies' initiative, to employment for the participants directly.

Despite major challenges, including the pandemic, the results exceeded expectations. One of the goals was for 50 participants to be closer to the labor market through internships, studies or employment. The final result was 79 people. The outreach to companies led to ten companies having one or more personnel needs met.

Proactively working towards local skills needs while equipping residents with these skills with the help of the companies themselves worked so well that the project transitioned into regular operations.