Links

Branch/sector organisations

Företagarna (the federation of private enterprises)

Företagarna is the largest organization for business owners in Sweden and represents 55,000 directly affiliated entrepreneurs and 21 industry associations. Their members are entrepreneurs who own their own businesses or who support the Federation's work (eg, sector organisations). Their mission is to promote entrepreneurship, safeguard the rights of business owners, and contribute to a positive climate in which to run a business.

Hantverkarnas Riksorganisation (the national organisation of craft associations)

Hantverkarnas Riksorganisation (the national organisation of craft associations) is the national organisation representing handicraft industries, small businesses, shops and services. This homepage is only available in Swedish.

LO (the Swedish trade union confederation)

LO (Landsorganisationen i Sverige - The Swedish Trade Union Confederation) is the central organisation for 15 affiliates, which organise over 1.8 million workers in both the private and the public sectors. The 15 affiliates of LO have independent status, and LO is primarily an organisation for coordination, research, labour market insurance schemes and engaging socio-economic and political issues at the national and regional levels. At LO's website you can find a wealth of information in English as well as links to member organisations.

Stiftelsen Hantverk och Utbildning (the Swedish craft council)

Information (only in Swedish) on education and certifications issued on behalf of the Swedish craft council.

Sunet (Swedish university computer network)

Sunet (Swedish University Computer Network) lists a large number of Swedish branch/sector organisations.

Svenskt Näringsliv (the confederation of Swedish industries)

Svenskt Näringsliv (the Confederation of Swedish Industries) represents approximately 54,200 small, medium and large businesses, organised into 50 trade/sector and employer organisations. Members of the Confederation of Swedish Industries employ over 1.6 million people in Sweden, representing 70 per cent of private sector employment in the country.

Sveriges Hantverksråd (the Swedish craft council)

Sveriges Hantverksråd (The Swedish craft council) is an organisation that works to ensure high quality of handicraft education and training. The council is sponsored by the national association of craft organisations, the Federation of Private Enterprises and the Confederation of Swedish Industries.

EU information

Cedefop

The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training. You can find all the latest information on vocational education and training in Europe at Cedefop's homepage.

Europass

You can find information on Europass CV, Europass language passport, Europass mobility, Europass certificate supplement and Europass diploma supplement at this website.

On-line EU and national public services

At this website you can ask questions and receive advice from legal experts about your rights as an EU national. Questions will be answered in your language within eight days . . . and this service is free! You can also find information on education, your rights as an EU national, etc.

Enic-naric.net (the European gateway to recognition)

ENIC (European Network of Information Centres) and NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centres) link to agencies in countries throughout Europe regarding the recognition of academic and professional qualifications.

European Commission

The European Commission's website for education and training. You can also find information on recognition of qualifications and tools for mobility and innovation in education and training at this website.

Eurydice (the information network on education in Europe)

The European network for information on education systems and on education and training indicators.

2006 - European Year for Workers? Mobility

2006 has been designated the European Year for Workers? Mobility. On this site you can find out more about activities and events carried out in the framework of the Year, and access a wealth of information on workers' mobility. It aims to open up the debate on the real benefits and challenges of working abroad or changing job.

Web portals

ESTIA

This is the homepage and link source for information about education, professions and labour market in different European countries. ESTIA started as a Leonardo da Vinci pilot project aimed to facilitate mobility in Europe by increasing the availability of information about education, work and labour market; increasing opportunities for guidance counsellors and other experts to build networks; increasing the competence of guidance counsellors and others in the use of IT for guidance; and increasing intercultural skills for guidance counsellors and other.

Ploteus (Portal on Learning Opportunities throughout the European Space)

PLOTEUS aims to help students, job seekers, workers, parents, guidance counsellors and teachers to find out information about studying in Europe. On PLOTEUS you can find all relevant information about life-long learning in Europe:

www.studyinsweden.se

This website was created by the Sswedish Institute for foreign students who would like to study at a higher education institute in Sweden.

Swedish government agencies and organisations in education and training

Arbetsförmedlingen (the Swedish employment service)

Information, mainly in Swedish but also limited information in other languages, on services offered by the Swedish employment service.

Folkbildningsrådet (the council for liberal adult education)

Information in Swedish on liberal adult education in Sweden.

The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education

Among other things, The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education (Högskoleverket) evaluates qualifications awarded abroad. They also evaluate qualifications awarded on completion of higher education programmes outside Sweden. This evaluation determines to which Swedish programme the foreign programme corresponds.

The International Programme Office for Education and Training

The Programme Office is a government agency under the Ministry of Education, Research and Culture and works to make it easier for those working with education and training to participate in international cooperation. The Programme Office provides information about, and markets, programmes, provides simple and effective administration, and evaluates and disseminates results of the various activities.

The Swedish Agency for Advanced Vocational Education

Advanced vocational education (kvalificerad yrkesutbildning - KY) is a form of post-secondary education designed and carried out in close co-operation with workplaces. One third of the education time is spent in the advanced application of theoretical knowledge at a workplace ? ?the LIA?. In contrast to the traditional traineeship period, the ?LIA? is an active workplace learning and problem-solving in an overall educational context.

The courses are based on close co-operation between enterprises and various course providers (higher education, upper secondary schools, municipal adult education and companies). The courses that receive the Agency's approval are intended to correspond to real needs in the employment market. However, there are no restrictions in terms of sector on the enterprises in which KY is to be provided. The courses will be open both to individuals coming directly from upper secondary school and to people who are already employed and wish to develop their skills within a defined area.

The Swedish National Agency for School Improvement

The Swedish National Agency for School Improvement is responsible for general support to schools within nationally prioritised areas. It also supports local development of work quality and improvement of learning environments; stimulates the development of professional competence among educators; is responsible for the national programme for school leader education; supports the widened use of ICT in education; disseminates knowledge, experience and research among professional educators; and participates in national and international networks that stimulate school improvement.

The Agency for School Improvement cooperates with other actors, like municipalities, schools, universities and professional unions that are interested in the development of education.

The Swedish Agency for Flexible Learning

The Swedish Agency for Flexible Learning is working to make lifelong learning possible for everyone by enhancing and stimulating the development of flexible learning in municipal adult education, folk high schools, study associations and at the work place.

The Swedish Institute (SI)

SI has a scholarship programme (at the higher education level) for both students and researchers who would like to study or conduct research abroad as well as for foreign students and researchers who would like to come to Sweden. There is also information in English and other languages for foreign students who would like to study at a higher education institute in Sweden.

Ministry of Education, Research and Culture

Ministry of Education, Research and Culture (Utbildnings- och kulturdepartementet) is responsible for matters regarding pre-school education and child care for school children, pre-school classes, compulsory school and equivalent schools, upper secondary school, independent schools, adult education, popular adult education, post-secondary education, universities and university colleges, research, study support, student social issues, youth policy, culture and media. The Ministry is also the host of EURYDICE (the information network on education in network)in Sweden.