Informative Materials – Sweden

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1 Informative Materials – Sweden
1.1 Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning
1.2 Information for foreigners who want to work as caregivers in Sweden
1.2.1 Recognition of education obtained in home country’; Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning
1.2.2 Recognition of foreign professional qualifications in Sweden
1.3 Employment conditions in Sweden; recognition procedures for the purpose of work; language requirements; employment regulations
1.4 Specific training for people who come from specific countries to Sweden (as low-skilled foreigners)
1.5 Information on earning
1.6 Job offers
1.7 Some statistic data
1.8 Link to relevant websites in country
1.9 Useful materials
1.10 References

In Sweden, social care is decentralized, and local municipalities hold responsibility for it. This decentralization leads to varying requirements for senior carers, which differ in each municipality.

In general there are formal requirements when it comes to workers providing services in publicly funded institutions eg. individuals are required to have completed the appropriate education and training programs in elder care or a related field.

Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning

In Sweden, personal care workers can follow a three-year high school professional programme financed by public funds (OCED, Tasks, qualifications and training of long-term care workers: reducing the skills gap, 2020)

There is also a comprehensive university degree for nurses. However, when working in long-term care (LTC) settings, students are required to pursue a specialization in specialist nursing, focusing on the care of elderly individuals, through a postgraduate diploma program. Sweden has also developed internship and mentoring programmes to support such students.

Moreover Sweden organized training programs for assistant nurses that are specifically tailored to provide integrated vocational and language training for immigrants and refugees. These programs, such as the YFI program in Stockholm, aim to support early integration of migrants into the labor market. Additionally, a fast-track training course has been implemented to expedite the process of integrating migrants into the workforce.

Below you can find example of trainings for LTC workers in Sweden: Swedish Healthcare Academy

Information for foreigners who want to work as caregivers in Sweden

Recognition of education obtained in home country’; Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning

The Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) conducts evaluations of foreign qualifications to offer assistance to individuals seeking employment in Sweden, individuals interested in pursuing further studies, and employers seeking to hire individuals with foreign qualifications. For more information please visit: The Swedish Council for Higher Education.

If you come from EU/EEA country or you have a work permit, Swedish residence permit or valid LMA card (issued for asylum seekers) you can validate your education via online assesment tool.

If you come from outside of EU country you can evaluate your education certificates only if you submit copy of your passport and:

  • Swedish residence permit, work permit or valid LMA
  • Copy of residence permit from other EU country, for more information please visit: recognition of education

Recognition of foreign professional qualifications in Sweden

The Department of Qualifications Recognition at UHR serves as Sweden’s ENIC-NARIC office. Their tasks include providing information about recognition and which organization should be contacted for people who want to work in a regulated profession.

ENIC – NARIC Sweden

Employment conditions in Sweden; recognition procedures for the purpose of work; language requirements; employment regulations

For employment conditions of EU citizens see Living and working conditions: SWEDEN (europa.eu)

Foreigners from non-EU countries must apply for a work permit, visa and residence card.
work permit Sweden

Recognition of education for the purpose of work is done by The Swedish Council for Higher Education. For more information please see: Evaluation of education/qualification

Although English is a compulsory subject starting from elementary school it is strongly advised to have a good command of Swedish when providing services to other people (especially seniors).

Opportunities to learn Swedish:

Specific training for people who come from specific countries to Sweden (as low-skilled foreigners)

No data on specific trainings

Information on earning

In the field of care work in Sweden, wages can vary based on factors such as qualifications and experience. On average, care workers earn around 1360 €/gross per month. Those with a high school education typically earn around 875 €/gross , while individuals with a bachelor’s degree can earn around 2050 €/gross . Beginners in the field may start with a wage of approximately 750 €/gross , but after gaining 10 years of experience, the wage can increase to around 1750 €/gross (Worldsalaries, 2023).

Job offers

https://arbetsformedlingen.se/platsbanken/

Some statistic data

20% of the Swedish population passed the age of 65.

Sweden has one of the best results in OECD countries, having 12 LTC workers per 100 individuals aged 65 and older.

In the year 2020, approximately 236,000 individuals aged 65 or over received assistance from home help staff

Link to relevant websites in country

Useful materials

20 things to know before moving | sweden.se

References