In 2022, the Swedish government launched a comprehensive transition package aimed at strengthening long-term flexibility, career adaptability, and security in the labour market.
The transition package is based on a proposal from trade unions and employer organisations in the private sector and includes changes to labour law, a new transition study allowance support, and a new basic transition and skills support scheme. This includes combining access to career guidance and different types of career support.
It aims to provide all workers with better opportunities for career transitions and skills development throughout their working lives, while also intended to strengthen Sweden's competitiveness. Now individuals established in the labour market have access to study support, advice on job searching or starting a business, support in case of illness as well as guidance on career choices and studies. The focus is on personalised support tailored to each individual's needs and possibilities. The support may differ between different transition councils, but in addition to study support (financing), guidance related interventions and activities may include:
- Assessment of skills and competences
- Motivational conversations
- Interview coaching
- Liaising with employers
- Workplace visits and work-based activities
These services are provided by the ‘job security and transition councils’. Based on their employer, individuals can find out which transition council they belong to with the help of a search tool.
The reform also expects to bring improved opportunities and diverse types of support to retrain and study, with most eligible workers receiving at least 80% of their salary through the new transition study financial support. Workers between jobs, or those facing redundancy, will gain access to enhanced and diverse support to ease their transition into new employment.
Key changes include:
- Transition study allowance financial support: Available from January 1, 2023, for individuals aged 27–60, the scheme offers up to 80% of previous income, with an optional loan. Those who have worked for 8 years and at least 12 of the last 24 months, can apply for an education programme and receive 80 percent of the salary for 44 weeks or two semesters.
- The support is designed for further education that strengthens a worker’s position in the labour market. To be eligible for this allowance, there must be a demand in the labour market for the desired competence to study. The transition councils help to assess a person´s position in the labour market and their study needs for strengthening their position. The transition council submits a statement to CSN (Centrala Studiestödsnämnden/Swedish Board of Student Finance) confirming this need.
Basic transition and skills support, including career guidance: Introduced on October 1, 2022, this public comprehensive support that extends coverage to workers not included in collective agreements, provided they meet certain requirements.
This new country record is based on information gathered and analysed by the CareersNet experts, Cedefop’s network of independent experts in career guidance and career development.
More information on the Inventory of lifelong guidance systems and practices and additional country records for other EU members states can be found here.