Sweden: Engineer shortage, conditions in public sector hinder electrification

The shortage of engineers and poor conditions at public employers risk to hinder electrification projects and pose a serious threat on trade and industry, warns trade union Sveriges Ingenjörer in a new report. Thus, the union sees a risk that authorities and state companies that have central roles in Sweden will not manage their tasks. According to the union members, salary and career opportunities are considered to be much better in private companies. After 20 years of work, the salary of engineers in the private sector is by around SEK 10,000 (EUR 894.21 USD 971.53) higher than for engineers in the public sector. In the public sector, managers receive around SEK 20,000 less. The low attractivity of public employers and recruitment problems might hinder investments in electricity supply. Grid developer Svenska Kraftnät, the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket), the Swedish Energy Agency (Energimyndigheten) and state-owned energy company Vattenfall have key roles in in securing electricity supply. Svenska Kraftnät is far from reaching its recruitment goals but does not plan a major salary rise.