Sweden urged to shift school places towards vocational training

Sweden needs more upper-secondary places in industrial technology, electricity and energy, and vehicles and transport, the National Agency for Education says. It recommends expanding these vocational programmes in almost every county.

The agency’s new assessment, published on Tuesday, calls for shifting some places from economics and social-science programmes. More than half of upper-secondary places currently prepare students for higher education.

The recommendations accompany 21 regional plans intended to help education providers match courses to demand. They are planning guidance, rather than an announcement that particular schools or courses will close.

For municipal adult education, or komvux, the agency wants a wider range of vocational options. Almost half of vocational students currently study care subjects. It says most counties need more training in electricity, industry and care, while reducing places in child and recreation programmes.

Its national report also calls for better careers guidance and closer cooperation between schools and employers. Changing the number of places alone will not resolve the mismatch between training and recruitment needs.

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