Cosy when returnees took over Skansen

After a two-year hiatus, the P.S. Missing You event was back at Skansen. The fun factor was high and the interest in the future of Piteå and Skellefteå, as well as the participating companies and authorities' offers, was great. The aim of the event is to provide information about all the exciting things happening in the region and hopefully attract expats and other curious people to choose Piteå and Skellefteå as their home town - in the near future or in the long term.

The sun was not shining, but it didn't matter when Piteå and Skellefteå invited expats and other interested people to a homecoming event at Skansen.

More than 1500 people came to the event, which took place at the Solliden stage. The atmosphere was good and the interest was great for Piteå municipality, Skellefteå municipality and the 21 companies and authorities that showed up and talked about development and investments in the region.

- It has been a great day with a lot of interest, both among expatriates and others who have no connection to our municipalities. When we cooperate between the municipalities, we show that we have a common need and are ready to think in new ways, which is important, says Andreas Lind, head of Piteå municipality.

- This is the third year that we have organised P.S Missing you here at Skansen, during the pandemic we ran a digital campaign instead. It's a great opportunity to showcase us and our companies that need to recruit new employees and talent. Record investments are underway in our region, so we are working broadly and aggressively to create interest in living in northern Sweden, says Helena Renström, marketing manager at Skellefteå municipality.

Families with children are an important target group, so the craft corner was bustling with activity and mascots Rejne from Piteå and Acka from Skellefteå were popular and handed out hugs. The Christmas decorated area was framed by atmospheric Christmas music, lots of curiosity and the smell of grilled pork sausage. In addition, more than 220 kilos of wookad palt were served - an appreciated feature.

- We think it's a great initiative, good to showcase the need for staff. Even though we don't really have plans to move back to Skellefteå now, you never know what will happen in the future," says Rebecca Frisk, a Skellefteå expat.

Piteå Municipality and Skellefteå Municipality are organising the P.S. Missing You event, but once there, it is the participating companies that have the main role.

- We have met visitors with a wide variety of skills. When we didn't have anything to offer, we passed them on to other companies. Cooperation within the region and between companies is crucial for development in the north and we must work together to ensure that we can continue to supply the skills needed in 2025, 2030 and beyond," says Annika Pettersson, HR manager at Wibax.

- The day has offered many good conversations, including with students who have been curious about Boliden. We think it's great that Piteå and Skellefteå are joining forces, because we can't solve the recruitment challenge we face in the region on our own, says Jonas Lindgren, Boliden.

- I think it's been a fantastic day, there are great conversations both when you stand and wookar palt and when you mingle. We've had around 30 people from our municipalities, so we've been able to guide visitors on to the one with the best information about what they've asked for - childcare, housing or whatever. That's the strength of P.S. Missing you, says Patric Lundström, councillor of Piteå municipality.

The main sponsors of P.S. Missing You are Wibax, Sparbanken Nord and Skellefteå Kraft.