Education and Skills Development

Education and skills development is perhaps the most important factor for us to succeed in achieving a sustainable development of food supply in the future.
The Swedish Food Federation (Livsmedelsföretagen) highlights that in order for Swedish food companies to be able to grow and produce food with high demands on sustainable production and quality, an extensive skills upgrade is required. One of the member companies’ biggest worries about the future is the low level of education in the industry. 19% have primary school as their highest level of education and 25% lack relevant education for the work they do. 80% of companies state that they have tried to recruit, according to the recruitment survey for 2021. Unfortunately, a full 70% of companies state at the same time that they find it difficult or very difficult to find people with the right education.
Lack of skills inhibits sustainable innovative power in companies
Remember that we are talking about the third largest industry in Sweden (production value, number of employees). Competence and education level in the companies is also about the possibility of necessary and innovative product development and production efficiency being able to become real. The right efforts will make a difference for the entire Swedish business community.
On the right track

Region Scania has initiated the project ”Circular center for food production” with partners from academia, Scania municipalities and industrial cluster organisations. Together, we must take advantage of and develop the conditions and create development for Skåne to be an important piece of the puzzle in the continued sustainable development of the food chain in Sweden. Important focus areas include R&D and skills development. At the latest seminar, ”Driving forces for a circular and sustainable food system”, by Region Skåne, Balsgård Foodtech, a test bed that operates under the concept of ”centre for innovative drinks”, told about their activities. Test beds are something we need more of in Sweden. Here, innovative research companies and start-ups can have the opportunity to further develop their product and scale up their production. It is at the same time a very good educational arena for students to have practice and get close to real production.
What is being done already

Folkuniversitet Syd runs two Higher vocational training courses, ”Sustainable food entrepreneur” and ”Operations leader in green industries”. They also applied now in June to start an education that will provide companies in the Blue industries, aquaculture and seafood, with labour. This is very good, but more similar initiatives are needed to take advantage of Sweden’s opportunity to be one of the leading players in Sustainable food production. The food companies must also succeed in telling the general public and today’s youth how their business works and what interesting development opportunities it means to be part of a sustainable and innovative food production. I am hopeful given the many sharp actors and international investors I meet and collaborate with – together we will put Sweden on the world’s food map when it comes to innovative and sustainable production that is competitive at the same time.