With the course start on 28 March, newly arrived academics will be able to get a business education in the evening and experience during the day. This is the result of a collaboration between the School of Economics and Management and the independent foundation Executive Foundation Lund who runs continuous education with focus on economy and leadership.
The basic idea is that internship combined with teaching is to help newly arrived get into the Swedish job market. The project will run for 15 weeks and the principal of the School of Economics and Management, Fredrik Andersson, has high hopes.
“All education will be in English, to avoid the teaching of Swedish becoming a bottleneck. Presently the Swedish language is a major problem that prevents a lot people from entering the job market, which is something we want to find a remedy for”, says Fredrik Andersson.
The course will foremost be aimed at newly arrived academics with good knowledge of the English language and can therefore quickly get started and become an asset in an English speaking company. It is mainly Arbetsförmedlingen who will offer the positions to people – those who apply for jobs.
“On the first occasion a group of 20 to 24 people will participate, but it is possible for the project to grow in the future”, says Fredrik Andersson.
This is why the project is needed
During the autumn, Sweden received more refugees than ever before. The country now stands before new social challenges getting jobs to the newly arrived and Fredrik Andersson believes the education offered will help.
“The step into the job market is crucial and I believe that it is important to offer this as early as possible”, says Fredrik Andersson.
He once again brings up the importance of the education being in English in order to facilitate, and that the education offered is based upon university studies and therefore gives a good foundation for the future.
“We are making an effort here where we can contribute with something no one else can. We are giving these people a good education and important contacts with the business world”, says Fredrik Andersson.
Founding from many sources
The first term of the project will be financed by Sparbanken Öresund, where the money will primarily be used for the education and the project management. Even Arbetsförmedlingen will contribute with financial aid.
“Beyond arranging internships for free, the companies will also give a contribution to the education and the project management, so the project will become self-financing”, says Fredrik Andersson.
The long-term goal is for the project to establish itself, become successful and to be able to continue to operate in the future. Though the principal of the School of Economics and Management hopes it stretches a bit further.
“We hope this will become a model that will spread to other schools and to other educations, that others can be inspired and learn from our model”, says Fredrik Andersson.
Article: Sofia Fritze
Translation: Viktor Jönsson
