Skellefteå acts to retain all skills
The Municipality of Skellefteå wants as many of those affected at Northvolt to stay in the region as possible. The aim is to meet the labour needs of other companies and the municipality. This was the message at a press conference on Monday, following Northvolt's announcement that 1,000 employees in Skellefteå would be affected by the redundancies. This means that approximately 2,800 people will continue to work at the factory in Skellefteå.
‘Of course, Northvolt's announcement is sad news for Skellefteå, and especially for those who are at risk of losing their jobs. But both public and private employers in the region are crying out for workers, so I hope that as many as possible of those who are laid off will stay and that work will now begin with full force,’ says Kristina Sundin Jonsson, Municipal Director in Skellefteå.
On Monday, Northvolt announced that 1,600 employees in Sweden would be affected. In Skellefteå 1,000 employees are affected, in Västerås 400 employees and in Stockholm 200 employees. Among those affected are employees who are not EU citizens but are here on work permits. If they are made redundant, they risk being forced to leave the country.
‘Everyone who works at Northvolt today is needed in Skellefteå and Västerbotten. The government must find solutions so that those who have work permits can stay, instead of being forced to leave the country. We need to secure skills and manpower so that the economy and Sweden do not lose momentum in the green transition,' says Lorents Burman (S), Chairman of the Municipal Executive Committee in Skellefteå.
During the week, the Municipality of Skellefteå will be in close dialogue with the business community, the County Council of Västerbotten, the County Administrative Board and the Swedish Public Employment Service about how those who lose their jobs can quickly find new employment. At the same time, preparations are being made to ensure that universities and other educational institutions in the region can meet the training needs that may arise.
Watch the press conference afterwards (in Swedish)
Facts about Skellefteå municipality:
- Skellefteå Municipality is one of Sweden's strongest municipalities with an equity ratio of over 60 percent, including all pension liabilities.During the first half of the year, 2,727 people moved to Skellefteå, and in August the municipality had a total population of 78,069 (figures from Statistics Sweden).Unemployment in the municipality of Skellefteå remains the lowest in Sweden, and in August it was 3 per cent, compared with 6.8 per cent for the country as a whole at the same time (figures from the Swedish Public Employment Service).
- In 2023, we were among the 5 municipalities in Sweden that increased their population (the sum of net migration and net births) the most in actual figures.
- Over the past three years, the municipality has financed 100 per cent of its investments with its own money. For the next ten years, the municipality plans to maintain a high level of self-financing of around 70 percent.