Education, Work, Guidance in Sweden

Summary

This publication is intended to provide information for guidance practitioners and other professionals involved in the world of education, work and training.

It is meant as a first step for those interested in how these areas function in Sweden.

The responsibility for different forms of education and for labour market and guidance issues is divided between several Swedish authorities. Therefore the information is not always easy to find for those who are not familiar with the Swedish system.

This text presents information from the different areas as well as offering an overview and a guide to further information.

The publication results from a collaboration between several national authorities at the initiative of Euroguidance Sweden, the Swedish National Resource Centre for Guidance.

It is financed with support from the European Union Leonardo da Vinci programme.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Sweden in Brief

3. Education in Sweden
   3.1 The Swedish School System
      3.1.1 The Swedish National Agency for Education
      3.1.2 Utbildningsinfo.se
   3.2 Swedish Folk High School
   3.3 Advanced Vocational Education and Training, KY
      3.3.1 What is KY?
      3.3.2 Contents of KY
      3.3.3 Employment market links
      3.3.4 How to apply for KY
   3.4 Higher Education in Sweden
      3.4.1 University or University College?
      3.4.2 How to Apply for Higher Education
      3.4.3 Entry requirements to undergraduate studies
      3.4.4 Post graduate studies
      3.4.5 The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education
      3.4.6 Study Destination Sweden
   3.5 The Swedish Study Aid System
      3.5.1 Student Aid for Studies Abroad
      3.5.2 Foreign Nationals
   3.6 Web addresses related to education in Sweden:

4. Work in Sweden
   4.1 The Labour Market in Sweden
      4.1.1 The National Labour Market Administration (AMV)
      4.1.3 Services and Channels
      4.1.4 Counselling within AMV
      4.1.5 Availability of Counselling
   4.2 EURopean Employment Services – EURES
   4.3 Looking for Work in Sweden
   4.4 Web addresses related to work in Sweden:

5. Guidance and counselling in Sweden
   5.1 The Swedish Guidance System
      5.1.1 Overview of the Swedish Guidance System
      5.1.2 Kinds of Guidance Services offered
      5.1.3 Professional Associations for Swedish Guidance Practitioners
   5.2 Euroguidance Sweden
   5.3 Education for Swedish Guidance Counsellors
   5.4 Web addresses related to guidance in Sweden:

Colophon

Title:
Education, Work, Guidance in Sweden

Summary:
This publication is intended to provide information for guidance practitioners and other professionals involved in the world of education, work and training.

It is meant as a first step for those interested in how these areas function in Sweden.

The responsibility for different forms of education and for labour market and guidance issues is divided between several Swedish authorities. Therefore the information is not always easy to find for those who are not familiar with the Swedish system.

This text presents information from the different areas as well as offering an overview and a guide to further information.

The publication results from a collaboration between several national authorities at the initiative of Euroguidance Sweden, the Swedish National Resource Centre for Guidance.

It is financed with support from the European Union Leonardo da Vinci programme.

Publisher:
All participating authorities - see introduction

Language:
English

Version/edition:
05-12-2006

Copyright:
2006

1. Introduction

The aim of this publication is to give the reader an overview of education, work and guidance in Sweden.  Following an opening with basic facts about Sweden, part one presents an introduction to the Swedish educational system and the authorities responsible for this area. There then follows a presentation of the Labour Market System in Sweden and the services provided for those looking for work. The last part concentrates on the Swedish guidance system. In each section a number of useful links are included for those who would like to know more about the different areas. There is also contact information to related organisations, educational bodies and authorities in Sweden.

The guide is the result of collaboration between several Swedish authorities at the initiative of Euroguidance Sweden, the Swedish National Resource Centre for Guidance. Established by the European Commission, Euroguidance is a network of information centres, promoting mobility throughout Europe and supporting guidance counsellors in their work with international issues.

The Euroguidance centres, which exist in all EU and EEA Member States and many Central and Eastern European Countries, act as links between the guidance services of each country, exchanging information about work, study and training opportunities throughout Europe. Individual Centres represent the various Ministries of Education, Training, Labour and Youth across their respective countries.

Euroguidance Sweden is located at the International Programme Office for Education and Training (IPK). The IPK is an autonomous public authority under the Swedish Ministry of Education, Research and Culture.  It acts as the National Agency for Comenius, Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci and Grundtvig and administrates many other international programmes and activities, along with some Swedish initiatives, http://www.programkontoret.se/.

The other parties contributing to this publication are:

• The National Labour Market Administration (Arbetsmarknadsstyrelsen – AMS),
• Stockholm Institute of Education (Lärarhögskolan - University college), Department for Study and Careers Counselling,
• The Swedish Agency for Advanced Vocational Education – (Myndigheten för Kvalificerad Yrkesutbildning, KY),
• The Swedish Institute (Svenska institutet – SI),
• The Swedish National Agency for Education (Skolverket),
• The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education (Högskoleverket), 
• The Swedish National Board of Student Aid (Centrala studiestödsnämden – CSN).

2. Sweden in Brief

Sweden is among the most modern, progressive industrial nations in the world. Many successful companies, including Ericsson, Volvo and Ikea, have their bases here and Sweden is also a world leader in IT, engineering, medicine, environmental technology and biotechnology. 

Sweden is also known for its open, egalitarian and liberal society.  

Many Swedes are experienced travellers and most people speak very good English. The Swedish population has one of the highest education levels in the world. In fact, Sweden allocates a higher proportion of its GNP to education and research than any other country, according to the OECD.

In education, as well as in other areas, the government sets up the legal framework and overall policy objectives, while regional authorities and institutions work independently.

System of government: Constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy
Population: 9 million
Average life expectancy: men 78 years, women 82 years
Literacy: 100 %
Landscape: 53% forests and 9% lakes and rivers
Main exports: Electrical and telecoms equipment, machinery, passenger cars, paper, pharmaceuticals, iron and steel
Average temperature (Stockholm): Jan: -2.8C (+27F). July: +17.2C (63F)
Membership: Council of Europe, European Union, UN, IMF, World Bank, OECD, OSCE, WTO, Nordic Council, PFP, Council of the Baltic Sea States, Barents’ Council

The Swedish Institute (SI), http://www.si.se, has been entrusted with the task of spreading information about Sweden to the rest of the world. At the official gateway to Sweden the reader will find more information about Sweden and Swedes: http://www.sweden.se

Official statistics of Sweden, including a statistical database and annual reports can be found on the website of Statistics Sweden, SCB: http://www.scb.se/

3. Education in Sweden

3.1 The Swedish School System

The Swedish public school system is divided into compulsory and non-compulsory schooling. Compulsory schooling includes regular compulsory school, Sami school, special school, and programs for pupils with learning disabilities. Non-compulsory schooling includes the preschool class, upper secondary school, upper secondary school for pupils with learning disadvantages, municipal adult education, and education for adults with learning disadvantages.

All education in the public school system is free. There is usually no payment required from students or their parents for teaching materials, school meals, health services or school transport. The regular school year begins at the end of August and runs to the beginning of June the following year.

There is a 9-year compulsory school program for children between the ages of 7-16. If the parents wish, a child may begin school one year earlier, at the age of 6. The most recent curriculum for compulsory education (Lpo 94) took effect in 1994.The curriculum states the school's fundamental values and basic objectives and guidelines. There are also nationally approved syllabi for the various subjects. Each municipality has to decide on a local school plan showing how the schools in that municipality are to be organized and developed.

Almost all compulsory school pupils continue straight on to upper secondary school. Every municipality in Sweden is required by law to offer all students who have completed compulsory school an upper secondary education. There are 17 national programs, all of which lasts for three years. The programs provide a comprehensive general education and make students eligible for studies at the university or post-secondary level.

People have the right to enrol in a regular upper secondary school until they are 20 years old. After that there are various forms of adult education organized by many different operators, from national and municipal adult education, to labour market training, in-service training and skills enhancement in the workplace. Adult education organized by the municipality (known as Komvux) includes basic- and upper secondary education, as well as continuing education programs.

For more information, visit the map of the Swedish Education System at: http://skolnet.skolverket.se/polopoly/utbsys-eng

3.1.1 The Swedish National Agency for Education

The Swedish National Agency for Education, http://www.skolverket.se, is the central administrative authority for the Swedish public school system for children, young people and adults, as well as for activities of pre-school children and the child care for school age children. The role of the National Agency for Education in the Swedish education system is to define the goals in order to administrate, to spread information in order to influence decisions and to make reviews in order to investigate improvements.

The National Agency for Education audits pre-school activities, care for school children, schools and adult education in many different ways. Regardless of the method, however, the focus is always on asserting the right for each individual to gain knowledge and develop as a person.

On the web pages of the National Agency for Education, http://www.skolverket.se, there are statistics, translations of leaver’s certificates, school addresses and information about education for students with a non-Swedish background.

3.1.2 Utbildningsinfo.se

Utbildningsinfo.se is a web site for students, parents and professionals in the field of education. The site collates collected, current and neutral information about education in Sweden, which is financed or supervised/monitored by the state. The web site consists of different parts: a search tool for educations in Sweden, a web-based career guidance tool, a description of the Swedish school system, a personal folder and a special section for guidance practitioners: http://www.utbildningsinfo.se

3.2 Swedish Folk High School

Folk High Schools have come to be a popular, important and established part of the Swedish education system. Today there are 148 Folk High Schools all over Sweden. 105 of these schools are run by various popular movements, organisations and associations (NGO’s), whilst the remaining 43 are run by county councils or regions.

All Folk High Schools give general courses (allmän kurs) 1-4 years. They are suitable for those who have not completed their secondary education or for those who want to go on to further education.

The majority of the Folk High Schools also offer a wide range of special courses. Examples of such courses include the aesthetic courses (art & design, painting, weaving etc), music, journalism and studies concerning the developing countries. Some schools provide vocational training for various leader categories, e.g. youth- and recreational leaders and drama leaders.

Many of the Folk High Schools are boarding schools. Living at the place of study is an important part of the plan in many of the Folk High Schools. Studying and living at school creates a sense of community, gives possibilities of close companionship and the chance to exchange views outside of class.

All tuition is free of charge at the Folk High Schools. Board and lodging costs about 3 500 SEK per month and students (Swedish students and non-Swedish nationals who have been living in Sweden for a number of years) can apply for a grant to cover part of the costs.

For more information visit the common website for Folk High Schools: http://www.folkhogskola.nu/

3.3 Advanced Vocational Education and Training, KY

Since 2002, KY (Kvalificerad yrkesutbildning) has been part of the regular educational system in Sweden. The Swedish Agency for Advanced Vocational Education is responsible for approving applications from course providers who are interested in arranging KY. Another task is to evaluate the quality of the KY courses.

3.3.1 What is KY?

KY is a form of post-secondary education designed to meet current competence needs in working life and it is organised in close collaboration with the workplaces. KY emphasises learning in the workplace, known as LIA (Lärande i arbete, learning at work). One third of the education time is spent at a workplace. In contrast to the traditional traineeship period, the “LIA” is an active workplace learning and problem-solving in an overall educational context. The courses are based on close collaboration between enterprises and various course providers (higher education, upper secondary schools, municipal adult education and companies). The courses that receive the Agency's approval are intended to correspond to the actual requirements of the employment market. However, there are no restrictions on the enterprises regarding in which sector KY is to be provided. The courses will be open both to those who have recently finished upper secondary school and to people who are already employed and wish to develop their skills within a specific area.  

3.3.2 Contents of KY

KY education is post-secondary, in the sense that completed upper secondary education or equivalent knowledge is required for eligibility. The subject matter is taken from professional contexts, courses in higher education, upper secondary, supplementary and advanced courses. The aim is for the courses to provide a combination of practical orientation with in-depth theoretical knowledge. The interplay between theory and the workplace is important both for the quality of the courses and to adapt to the needs of both the market and the students. Courses may be divided into terms, or ongoing, with no division into terms. The student is entitled to financial support in accordance with the current regulations for higher education. The education period varies between 1 to 3 years. A course consisting of 40 weeks or more will result in a KY degree.

3.3.3 Employment market links

The LIA periods are characteristic for the KY concept. For one third of the course, students will be in the places of work, developing their analytical abilities, applying comprehensive and systematic approaches, and taking responsibility for work projects. If this process is to work properly, skilled supervision must be available. A further requirement is that the workplace itself should be organized in a way that makes learning feasible. The aim of training is to impart familiarity with an occupation or vocational area. The companies involved defray all expenses for the LIA period. There are many areas in which KY may be used, e.g., - engineering - trade and tourism - agriculture or forestry - information technology - health care

3.3.4 How to apply for KY

KY projects begin and finish all the year round. The entrance requirements are the same as for universities and university colleges, i.e. an upper secondary school diploma or equivalent degree. For more information visit: http://www.ky.se.

3.4 Higher Education in Sweden

In Sweden higher education is open to everybody. About half of the population will take part in higher education courses at some stage of their lives. Some go into higher education straight from upper-secondary school, others choose to work for a while or travel abroad before beginning their studies. Usually students in Sweden are aged from 20 to 25, but some are also older. There are as many female students as there are men.

All higher education is offered in the form of courses. The duration of these courses may vary, but they usually last between 5-20 weeks. Several courses can be combined to form a degree programme. Students themselves are also able to combine different courses to make up a degree. A system of credit points is used to define the extent of a study programme in which one credit point corresponds to one week of full-time study. A new credit system will be introduced from July 2007, closely linked to ECTS, which states that one year of full-time studies will yield 60 higher education credits.

Higher education has become increasingly diversified. Many foreign students come to Sweden on various exchange programmes. More and more young people with foreign backgrounds are also participating in higher education. Multi-cultural and diverse higher education is supported and there are many efforts to stimulate social and ethnic diversity.

3.4.1 University or University College?

Sweden has about forty university colleges and universities – from Kiruna in the north to Malmö in the south. Almost all of them are run by the state. There are also around twenty “independent course providers” that are entitled to reward students with degrees. Independent means that they are not state-run. Being entitled to award degrees means they can offer a higher education qualification to students who complete one or more of their courses.

Whether an institution is referred to as a university or a university college has no effect on the quality of the courses and the degrees have the same legal status. The main difference is that the universities have a basic right to offer a postgraduate programme and award postgraduate degrees. University colleges can only do so once they have been authorised in one or more areas of research and postgraduate study by the Government.

3.4.2 How to Apply for Higher Education

Enrolment to most courses and programmes is administered by the National Agency for Services to Universities and University Colleges (VHS), in collaboration with the institutions offering higher education.

The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education is responsible for the web portal http://www.studera.nu.  On the site, it is possible to search among the various programmes and courses offered by the higher education institutions, read about them and then apply for the ones of interest.

3.4.3 Entry requirements to undergraduate studies

Certain entry requirements have been laid down for admission to higher education - known as admission or entry requirements. These are divided into general admission requirements and specific admission requirements. The general admission requirements are the same for all higher education. In addition to the general admission requirements, most programmes specify some further requirements, the specific entry requirements.

3.4.4 Post graduate studies

A postgraduate programme lasts for four years and leads to the award of a doctorate (PhD). After two years of study a student may apply for the award of a Licentiate degree. Postgraduate programmes involve both taught classes and the production of a thesis.

The higher education institution offering a postgraduate programme decides who is to be admitted. Applications to postgraduate programmes are submitted to the institution at which they are offered. In order to be admitted an applicant must have at least 180 higher education credits from undergraduate programmes, the specific admission requirements laid down by the faculty board, the capacity to complete the programme successfully and guaranteed financial support for the entire period of study.

3.4.5 The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education

The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education is a government authority that deals with issues relating to higher education. Its tasks include providing information about studies in higher education and about the available institutions and what courses and programmes they offer. Another task is to evaluate the quality of the courses and programmes offered in higher education. The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education also performs studies that form the basis for improvements and changes in higher education in Sweden. In order to safeguard the legal rights of students the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education is also responsible for supervision of the higher education institutions in Sweden.

Learn more about higher education in Sweden at http://www.hsv.se – the official website of the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education. At http://www.hsv.se one will also find the addresses of all the higher education institutions in Sweden and information about how to contact them.

3.4.6 Study Destination Sweden

Schools and universities are active partners in international cooperation and exchange. Sweden’s educational policy recognises that a multicultural student body is a positive resource. There are about 23.000 guest students in Sweden, taking part in organised exchange through the home university, or, studying in Sweden as “free movers”. 300 master’s programmes taught in English attract students from all over the world.

For younger people (in compulsory school and upper secondary level) from other countries, student exchange programs have to be organised by the students’ own school or by an exchange organisation in the student’s home country.

http://www.studyinsweden.se is a comprehensive resource for information about higher education in Sweden, aimed at prospective students from outside Sweden. The site incorporates a frequently updated database of English-language programmes, an overview of the Swedish higher education system, practical information about visas and accommodation, scholarships,application procedures and pointers for learning Swedish as a foreign language. The site was created and is maintained by the Swedish Institute (SI).

3.5 The Swedish Study Aid System

The National Board of Student Aid (CSN), http://www.csn.se, administrates the Swedish student aid system and thus plays a significant role in Sweden’s national educational policy. The overarching educational objective is to make sure that Sweden is one of the world-leading nations in terms of knowledge, a nation able to offer high-quality education and lifelong learning with the purpose of stimulating growth and social equality. The student aid system was set up in order to enable people to pursue their studies regardless of financial circumstances or any functional disabilities. The funding of studies by a state-run student aid scheme is thus a way to reduce those different opportunities depending on private assets or functional disabilities. Public funded student aid, which is administered by the CSN, is available in four basic types:

• Study allowance (studiehjälp) is intended to encourage more young people between the ages of 16 and 20 to study at upper-secondary school. Study allowance is only available during the period of the year when the pupil actually studies and consists of four components: student grant, boarding supplement, extra supplement and a daily travel grant.  
• A national upper-secondary school grant, or RG grant, is a contribution towards the cost of education at a national upper-secondary school. The purpose of RG grants is to enable more people who are hearing-impaired, deaf or functionally disabled to obtain an upper-secondary education by reducing obstacles caused by financial or geographical factors.  
• Recruitment grants for adult students are intended to encourage studies at compulsory-school and upper-secondary school level. The grant is payable to adults over the age of 25 who have, for instance, received only limited education or who are unemployed.  
• Financial student aid is available for studies at compulsory school, upper-secondary school or post-secondary level. Student aid is made up of a grant component and a loan component.

With the exception of financial student aid (studiemedel), student aid is paid in the form of a grant. Financial student aid is made up of both a loan and a grant component.

In addition to student grants and loans, students may also apply for supplementary and additional loans. Supplementary loans are available for persons over 25 who have previously received income from work. Additional loans, another form of supplementary loan, are payable for certain extra costs incurred during the course of studies, e.g. the cost of double residency.

3.5.1 Student Aid for Studies Abroad

There is a special program for financial aid for studies in foreign countries. Financial aid for studies abroad can be divided into two categories:

1. Aid for studying abroad as an exchange student, which means that the period of study is included in the Swedish study program that a student is pursuing.
2. Aid for studies (degree/diploma/certificate) at a foreign university/higher educa­tional institution.

Formal Requirements
There are three basic formal requirements, which must be fulfilled in order to get financial student aid for studies abroad:

• The applicant must be a Swedish citizen. (In some cases citizens from the European Union and the European Economic Area who are permanently settled in Sweden may also receive financial assistance to study abroad after special assessment.)
• Before beginning the foreign study period, he or she must have been a resident in Sweden for at least two of the last five years. 
• The duration of the course concerned must be at least 13 weeks and the studies must be pursued on a full-time basis.

When it comes to the educational quality requirements for studies outside the Nordic countries, the regulations stipulate an acceptable standard. For imple­mentation of regulations concerning acceptable standards, CSN and The National Agency for Higher Education (HSV) have set up specific guidelines.

3.5.2 Foreign Nationals

For foreign nationals, the CSN first checks whether they meet the basic requirements for Swedish student aid. In order to be entitled to Swedish student aid, the applicant must have moved to Sweden for a purpose other than studying. He or she must also be Swedish resident and hold a permanent residence permit (PUT). 

In the case of EU nationals without a basic entitlement to Swedish student aid, the CSN will also consider whether the applicant can be treated as a Swedish citizen under the laws of the Community and thus qualify for Swedish student aid. If a person is a citizen of another EU/EEA nation or Switzerland and can be said to be employed in Sweden, he/she may be entitled to Swedish student aid if there is a relationship between his/her work in Sweden and the course of studies he/she is applying for. In other words, the studies applied for must entail some kind of further education or training with his/her vocational sphere in Sweden. In addition, relatives or next-of-kin of a migrant employee may be entitled to Swedish student aid. Persons with a right of permanent residence (PUR) and those granted status by the Migration Board as a third-country national permanently residing in Sweden may also be treated as Swedish citizens and thus be entitled to Swedish student aid.

3.6 Web addresses related to education in Sweden:

Ministry of Education and Research; http://www.sweden.gov.se

Map of the Swedish Education System: http://skolnet.skolverket.se/polopoly/utbsys-eng/

The Swedish National Agency for Education: http://www.skolverket.se

Search tool for educations in Sweden: http://www.utbildningsinfo.se

Common website for Folk High Schools: http://www.folkhogskola.nu/

The Swedish Agency for Advanced Vocational Education: http://www.ky.se

The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education: http://www.hsv.se

The Swedish Agency for Networks and Cooperation in Higher Education: http://www.nshu.se

Search tool for programmes and courses offered by the higher education institutions: http://www.studera.nu. 

Website for information about higher education in Sweden, aimed at students from outside Sweden: http://www.studyinsweden.se

The National Board of Student Aid (CSN), http://www.csn.se

National Agency for services to Universities and University colleges, VHS, http://www.vhs.se. (Evaluation of completed foreign upper secondary education.)

National ENIC/NARIC centre; http://www.hsv.se/foreigndegrees.4.539a949110f3d5914ec800056651.html (Recognition of foreign degrees and diplomas)

Swedish National Reference Point for Vocational Qualifications, NRP; http://www.senrp.se

Swedish National Europass centre; http://www.programkontoret.se/europass

The Swedish National Commission on Validation; http://www.valideringsdelegationen.se/other_languages/index.htm

The National Centre for Swedish as a Second Language, SFI; www1.lhs.se/sfi/eng.html

Folkuniversitetet; http://www.folkuniversitetet.se/templates/PageFrame.aspx?id=3887 (Swedish as a foreign language)

Stockholm University, Department of Scandinavian languages; http://www.nordiska.su.se/TISUSsverige/tisussv.html; TISUS – test in Swedish for University Studies

4. Work in Sweden

4.1 The Labour Market in Sweden

For updated information about the general situation of the labour market in Sweden, see the website of the National Labour Market Administration: http://www.ams.se .

4.1.1 The National Labour Market Administration (AMV)

The Swedish Government and the Swedish Parliament have overarching responsibility for employment and overall labour market policy in Sweden.

The National Labour Market Administration (Arbetsmarknadsverket - AMV) has an important role in putting these policies into practice in order to facilitate a well-functioning labour market. The responsibility is to achieve the objectives and to carry out the tasks that the Government and the Parliament have entrusted to us.

The most important task of the Swedish Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) is to make it easier to match job seekers with job vacancies. The responsibility is to support and prepare job seekers to enable them to apply for and fill vacancies. Another important task is to safeguard the role of the unemployment insurance scheme by applying its rules in all instances.

The Employment Service’s responsibilities also include facilitating and speeding up access to the labour market for vulnerable groups. The Employment Service also tries to counteract and prevent any discrimination in working life which is based on gender, ethnicity, religion and faith, disability and sexual orientation so that all job seekers have the same opportunities to obtain work.

The National Labour Market Administration consists of the National Labour Market Board (Arbetsmarknadsstyrelsen - AMS), which is the central authority, as well as 20 County Labour Boards and approximately 325 local public employment offices. In total, some 10,000 persons are employed by the National Labour Market Administration, including about 7,000 employment officers.

4.1.3 Services and Channels

The Swedish Employment Service aims to help employers find employees and those seeking jobs to find employment. Nine services are provided for job seekers and employers. These services are offered by way of Internet services (http://www.ams.se), Customer Services (phone nr: +46(0)771 416 416) and the local public employment services.

The services provided are:

1. Job hunting
2. Improving your job hunting skills
3. Job counselling
4. Preparatory training for work
5. Starting your own business
6. Clarifying your chances
7. Adjusting your situation
8. Recruiting new staff
9. Training for recruitment

The form of these nine services has been designed so that job seekers and employers can be offered or informed about them at any Employment Office, whether or not the entire range of services is available at every local office. Based on the requirements of each job seeker or employer, the Employment Office decides whether and how a particular service may be offered.

4.1.4 Counselling within AMV

The job counselling service is an important instrument for fulfilling the tasks of AMV in the area of labour market policies. The objective of the service is to enable the job seeker to relate his/her resources, experience and desires to the demands and possibilities of the labour market, in order to make a well-founded choice of work and/or training. The overall objective is to increase the available labour force, enhance geographic and professional mobility, and to diminish unemployment.

Employment officers with a counselling role in AMV need to be able to review the situation to decide on a complex matter. Based on each individual’s resources, the counsellor has to discern possible jobs and training opportunities, and then motivate the job seeker to make well-founded choices.

As well as introducing Internet-based tools, and ensuring that the job seeker is capable of using them, the counsellor will also be able to offer group and/or individual counselling. These methods are quality-assured in order to guarantee their uniform quality within our organisation.

4.1.5 Availability of Counselling

Information on professions and courses of study is available to all interested parties on our public web site http://www.ams.se . The telephone-based Customer Service offers anyone interested support and an introduction on how to use the Internet-based information about professions and studies.

Some of the services available at the Employment Office are only available if you are registered there as a job seeker. The range of services available will depend on the needs of each individual job seeker. The Employment Office decides what services or programs to deploy, balancing the job seeker’s needs with the demands and possibilities of the labour market.

4.2 EURopean Employment Services – EURES

Sweden is part of the common European labour market, because of the membership in the European Union and some other bilateral agreements. The Swedish Employment Service is involved in the EURopean Employment Services network – EURES.

The objective of the EURES network is to promote mobility of the workforce on the European labour market, while supporting the goals of each national Employment Service. EURES plays an important role in identifying surpluses and shortages of labour in various sectors, efforts to reduce bottleneck situations being one of the most important tasks of the EURES network. The network can also contribute to improved possibilities for employment for some individuals, especially young people, by offering the possibility to get work experience in foreign countries.

Matching job seekers with jobs and recruiting workers to and from Sweden are integral parts of the efforts of the Employment Service, covered by the general principles for the provision of services on the web site, by Customer Service and by the local Employment Office.

Specialised services are available from trained employment officers, EURES advisers. There are approximately 35-40 EURES advisers in Sweden, and around 700 in the entire EU/EEA area with Switzerland. Contact information to EURES advisers in Sweden and abroad can be found on the EURES portal http://europa.eu.int/eures . EURES advisers provide the three basic EURES services of information, guidance and placement, to both job seekers and employers interested in the European job market. They have developed specialised expertise in the practical, legal and administrative matters relating to mobility on the national level, across the borders. They work within the Public Employment Service of each member country, or within other partner organisations in the EURES network.

4.3 Looking for Work in Sweden

Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland, including family members, do not need a work permit to be employed in Sweden. Within 3 months they must register with the immigration authorities, Migrationsverket, by phoning +46(0)11 15 60 00 or through http://www.migrationsverket.se . Citizens from countries outside the EU/EEA area or Switzerland must obtain a work permit, to be applied for and granted before entering Sweden to take up employment. An assessment of the labour market is made in each individual case. More information is available at the Swedish embassies and consulates abroad, or by contacting Migrationsverket.

On the EURES portal http://europa.eu.int/eures vacancies and information on working and living conditions in Sweden and other member countries can be found, as well as the possibility to have your CV registered and available in almost all of Europe. If more services are needed, a EURES adviser can be contacted. Information on how to contact EURES advisers in Sweden and abroad can be found on the EURES portal.

The Internet website of the National Labour Market Administration, http://www.ams.se is another useful source when looking for work in Sweden. Here job seekers will find the vacancies available in Sweden and employers can advertise for employees. Customer Services can also be contacted, telephone +46 (0)771-416 416. Job seekers may also visit the local Public Employment Services office ("Arbetsförmedlingen"). Addresses can be found on http://www.ams.se .

4.4 Web addresses related to work in Sweden:

Ministry of Industry, Employment and Communication; http://www.sweden.gov.se

The National Labour Market Administration: http://www.ams.se .

The EURES portal: http://europa.eu.int/eures

The Swedish Migration Board: http://www.migrationsverket.se

Confederation of Swedish Enterprise; http://www.svensktnaringsliv.se/english/

List of Swedish companies: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Swedish_companies

The Swedish Trade Council; http://www.swedishtrade.se/english/

The Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations, SACO; http://www.saco.se/templates/saco/general.asp?id=1989

Salaried employees' National Association, TCO; http://www.tco.se/Templates/Page2____2319.aspx

The Swedish Trade Union Confederation, LO; http://www.lo.se/home/lo/home.nsf/unidView/943717B4077AAF1AC1256E4B0033629C

The Union of Service and Communication Employees, SEKO; http://www.seko.se/

The Union of Civil Servants, ST; http://www.st.org/index.php?id=15

5. Guidance and counselling in Sweden

5.1 The Swedish Guidance System

Public guidance services are provided throughout the entire educational system as well as in employment offices and in the local municipality information centres. The private sector has always been very limited in Sweden, but there are private employment offices and some firms that specialise in career coaching and helping companies with reorganising or downsizing. There is an old tradition in Sweden that counselling should be an individual right, free of charge and available to as many groups as possible.

There are no overall statistics of the number of guidance practitioners in Sweden, but a recent evaluation of guidance within the Swedish school system, conducted by the National Agency for Education, shows that an average Swedish guidance counsellor within compulsory school handles about 522 pupils. The figure for upper secondary level is 479 pupils for every guidance practitioner. There are no such figures available for other areas.

The Swedish tradition of independence amongst national authorities and institutions, including those of education and work, means that different authorities form their own goals in the area of guidance, in accordance with certain guidelines from their superior ministries. Currently, the local municipal authorities plan their services of information, guidance and counselling separately, according to special guidelines and goals set by the national authority concerned, which in turn answers to the government.

The local municipal authority is responsible for compulsory and upper secondary school, as well as for adult education, providing the schools with guidance counsellors and other necessities to achieve the national goals. The guidance that takes place at university level and other higher education institutions is the local responsibility of each university in line with national goals and the counselling services for those in search of work is to a great extent designed by local Employment Offices in accordance with the guidelines from The National Labour Market Administration.

Financing of counselling services is part of the total funding for the local authority, the local university and/or the local employment office. No sum of money is specifically designated for guidance and counselling.

5.1.1 Overview of the Swedish Guidance System

Click on the picture to see the pdf-version of: ''Overview of the Swedish Guidance System''

5.1.2 Kinds of Guidance Services offered

For compulsory school, secondary school and adult education the curriculum states that:”Student guidance officers and vocational guidance staff should:Inform and guide pupils prior to the next stage of their education and vocational orientation and focus particularly on opportunities for pupils with disabilities”.

The activities and roles of the counsellors differ, depending on the type of school. All study and vocational activity has the common goal of helping the individual obtain more knowledge about his or her own capacity and the existing opportunities and to form personal goals within education and working life. The counselling is given to pupils both individually and in group sessions.

At Universities and University colleges there are three different kinds of guidance services;

• Guidance at a central level – The central level is usually the first contact that prospective students will have with the university. The most common matters discussed are educational choices, changes of study field, studying abroad and the choice of a right major in order to get a job in the future.
• Educational guidance at the University Departments - The student counsellor at a specific department offer advice in his or her own field of study and also on job opportunities regarding the special branch connected to the subject concerned. 
• At some universities there are also Career Centres. They offer individual counselling on career choices and support regarding job applications. They also give continuous information about job vacancies, summer jobs, trainee vacancies and companies willing to help and support students with their thesis work.

The local municipality information centres are very much built on the concept of self-service. The staff usually arranges different kinds of information activities and it is also possible to get individual counselling. The visitors at these centres range from very young people to adults who want to begin their studying late in life or who wish to change careers.

The Employment offices mainly work with unemployed people. Among the services provided are interviews, interest tests and both individual and work activities (see further information under 4.1.4).  In Sweden, psychological testing is usually not the responsibility of guidance specialists. Usually testing is a task which psychologists in the employment service handle. They are a rather small group and the tests deal with a limited group of people.

5.1.3 Professional Associations for Swedish Guidance Practitioners

The Swedish Association of Guidance Counsellors (SAGC), http://www.vagledarforeningen.org, organizes around 1000 Swedish guidance practitioners. SAGC is actively engaged in the development and strengthening of educational and vocational counselling. The association also participates in efforts to improve the professionalism of counsellor practise and professional ethics. An annual conference for Swedish guidance counsellors is arranged and the association publishes a quarterly journal, “Vägledaren i utbildning och arbetsliv” (The Educational and Vocational Guidance Counsellor). SAGC has formulated and ratified a Declaration of Ethics for educational and vocational guidance practitioners.

Within the trade union for teachers, “Lärarnas riksförbund”, there is a forum for Swedish guidance professionals. They have formulated a work description and an ethical declaration for guidance practitioners and they also answer government questionnaires, http://forening.proventek.net/vagledarna/

5.2 Euroguidance Sweden

Euroguidance Sweden, http://www.programkontoret.se/Euroguidance, is the National Resource Centre for Guidance in Sweden. It is part of the Euroguidance network: http://www.euroguidance.net. The centre provides a range of services to Swedish Guidance Professionals and to professionals abroad. It is an information and documentation centre for guidance counsellors who require information about opportunities for studying and training in Europe. Citizens have access to Euroguidance through their local guidance services. Guidance Counsellors may contact Euroguidance Sweden directly on their behalf; euroguidance.sweden@programkontoret.se

To help guidance counsellors in their work with mobility, Euroguidance Sweden:

• Answers questions about study and training opportunities in Sweden and abroad
• Supplies information about projects and international cooperation in the area of guidance and counselling
• Provides information about international possibilities for guidance counsellors
• Offers further training for guidance practitioners on mobility issues
• Reports on the international policy development within the field of guidance

The Euroguidance network is responsible for the European Commission portal on learning opportunities, PLOTEUS; http://europa.eu.int/ploteus,

5.3 Education for Swedish Guidance Counsellors

There is one main training course for counsellors in Sweden, a three-year university programme, leading to a Bachelors degree. The course of studies is comprised of 180 ECTS points. Supervision provided includes supporting individuals to explore, articulate and develop their interests and capabilities as well as their knowledge about themselves in relation to society, education, profession and working life. The content of the course of studies gives fundamental knowledge of the prerequisites for making soundly substantiated choices during counselling.  Upon completion of the course students will have the skills required to provide young people and adults with guidance and information on issues pertaining to choice of studies and/or occupation.

There is an increasing demand for persons holding a bachelor education/graduate diploma in career counselling for new duties and assignments both in the public and private sectors.

The major subject in the course of studies is ”career counselling” which consists of three main sections:

1. Social sciences, aimed at imparting knowledge about how society, working life and education are organised, and function 
2. Behavioural sciences, covering the basic knowledge of Psychology, Pedagogies and Sociology required for such an understanding of human behaviour that makes one able to act as a guidance counsellor, tutor and/or information officer.
3. Practical periods, mainly in schools and colleges, but also in other fields. Practical periods include such aspects as independently carrying out guidance sessions with individuals and/or groups, teaching and giving information.

The instructions link theoretical studies with practical experience. Subject lectures and tutorials alternate with reading of relevant literature, field studies, practical application exercises (e.g. interview techniques) that take the form of group work, seminars and private studies. There are examinations, both written and verbal, are held. The course is also available in a distance learning version.

Eligibility
To qualify, students must meet the basic eligibility requirements for undergraduate studies at the university and have received Pass or higher in Social sciences course A at upper secondary school/ college, as well as having at least one year (12 months) of working experience. Unless in the form of employment, caring for children or other persons is not counted towards eligibility nor is mandatory military training.

Students have the right to include knowledge and skills acquired through studies or working experience in Sweden or abroad among their qualifications, provided that the knowledge and/or skills are of such nature and have been pursued long enough for them to be approximately equivalent to the course, or part thereof.

Courses of studies leading to a bachelor’s degree/ graduate diploma (Study and Vocational Guidance) are offered at:

Malmö University, http://www.mah.se/templates/Page____13084.aspx
For further information, please contact: anders.loven@lut.mah.se

Stockholm Institute of Education, http://www.lhs.se/LHS/Templates/Page____178.aspx
For further information, please contact: ulla.brag-yhland@lhs.se

Umeå University, http://www.educ.umu.se/indexeng.html
For further information, please contact: goran.nilsson@educ.umu.se

5.4 Web addresses related to guidance in Sweden:

The Swedish Association of Guidance Counsellors (SAGC), http://www.vagledarforeningen.org

Branch for Swedish guidance professionals within the trade union for teachers: http://forening.proventek.net/vagledarna/

Euroguidance Sweden, http://www.programkontoret.se/Euroguidance

Utbildningsinfo.se. A web site run by the Swedish National Agency for Education containing a virtual career guidance tool and a special section for guidance practitioners: http://www.utbildningsinfo.se

Search tool for schools in Sweden http://www.skolverket.se/sb/d/244 (Contact information to guidance counsellors in schools around Sweden can be found on the web sites of each individual school).

Search tool for local municipality learning cetres in Sweden, http://www.larcentra.se/karta.htm  (Contact information to the guidance services of each municipality can be found through the web sites of local municipality learning centres in different parts of Sweden)

Addresses to higher education institutions in Sweden http://www.hsv.se/highereducation/highereducationinstitutions/ addresses.4.539a949110f3d5914ec800072905.html (Contact information to the guidance services at higher education institutions can be found on the web sites of each University)

The Swedish Migration Board; http://www.migrationsverket.se/english.jsp (Information about entry visas, residence permits for studies, work permits, citizenships etc)

Guide for students with disabilities: http://www.studeramedfunktionshinder.nu/english/index.htm

Big Swedish research project in the area of career guidance: http://www.educ.umu.se/forskning/presentation/projekt/individen_vagarna_valen/ projektbeskrivning.html