The industrial investment in Västerbotten and Norrbotten is in full swing, and generates many job opportunities. Not least in Skellefteå, where the Northvolt battery factory is expected to employ 4,000 people when the factory is completed, which is expected to take place in 2026 at the earliest.
Two who have chosen to move there are the couple Helda and Mario Freitas, who a year ago chose to leave Brazil for Skellefteå after they both got jobs at Northvolt.
"Risks losing attractiveness"
But it is not only the factories that need to hire, but labour is also needed to cover an increasing need in, for example, healthcare, education and social care.
Ida Rönnblom at the Swedish Public Employment Service sees that there is a great interest in working with the green transition in industry. On the other hand, it is much more difficult to find people who are prepared to move for a job in the public sector.
"What is at risk of happening is that we lose our attractiveness. No one wants to move to a place where childcare is not available," says Ida Rönnblom.
The municipality asks for support
What will happen if not enough people move to Skellefteå, the chairman of the municipal board, Lorents Burman (S), does not want to speculate on.
"We can't work according to that scenario, but we have a goal that we will succeed with this. But we also need greater support from the government, says Lorents Burman (S), chairman of the municipal board in Skellefteå.
Helda and Mario Freitas are expecting their first child. For them, it is important that the social functions in the city function – then they will continue to live.
"Skellefteå is a really good place for families, and especially for children to grow up in," says Mario.
Minister for Employment Johan Pehrson will come to Agenda 21.15 on SVT2 to talk about how to solve the labor shortage in connection with the industrial investment in the north.