Vocational Graduates Face Employment Struggles Amidst Quality Concerns in Sweden

Graduates of vocational education in Sweden are encountering significant difficulties securing employment, with many facing a disheartening job market despite completing their studies. Andrée Theander, who finished his training as an accounting economist at Plushögskolan in 2024, exemplifies this struggle. After applying for 200 jobs without success, Theander criticized the school's marketing promises of high demand and strong job prospects, stating, "It feels strange because I know I would have done that job well if I had been given the chance, but I never got it." His experience highlights a broader issue where many employers seek candidates with prior work experience, which new graduates lack.

A 2024 review by the Swedish National Agency for Higher Vocational Education (MYH) revealed that 45% of vocational programs had deficiencies in practical training placements, vital for job readiness. Theander expressed frustration over the responsibility placed on students to secure internships, which he called a way for schools to evade accountability. Although some classmates managed to find placements through personal contacts, Theander was unable to secure an internship opportunity despite completing a school-assigned project in its place.

Plushögskolan, which received a substantial 255 million SEK in state funding last year—the highest among providers—defended its approach. Operations manager Maria Sandin acknowledged the challenges in predicting labor market conditions over the four years from program approval to graduation but maintained that the institution strives to assess labor demand correctly and does not guarantee employment to students.

Broader concerns about the quality of vocational education programs have surfaced, with reports revealing that some programs offer only minimal teacher-led instruction despite receiving billions in funding. Magnus Wallerå affirmed a commitment to raising quality standards, stating, "Education with low quality has no place in vocational education. We have seen shortcomings and therefore we are now tightening the requirements."

These revelations come as several other vocational students have anonymously voiced worries about their programs, fearing speaking out could jeopardize their job prospects. Meanwhile, Theander has shifted his focus to building a career in music, working as a guitar teacher since finding no opportunities in his trained field.

The vocational education sector in Sweden thus faces critical scrutiny over balancing funding, educational quality, and real-world outcomes for graduates amid a challenging labor market landscape.