4 ÅF encourages tomorrow’s engineers to take the Technology Leap Statistics Sweden estimates that by 2030 Sweden will have a shortage of some 50,000 engineers. ÅF has risen to meet this challenge by participating in the Technology Leap initiative, introducing ÅF to young people with an interest in technology in the hope of inspiring them in their career choice. The Technology Leap is a long-term commitment and a joint initiative from Sweden’s employers and the Swedish government to safeguard the nation’s engineering traditions and strengthen its long-term competitiveness. Young people who have just graduated from secondary school are given the opportunity to apply for a fourmonth internship in a technology-intensive company. As a leader in the engineering and consulting industry in Sweden and with some 7,000 employees worldwide – mostly engineers and technology graduates – ÅF is proud to announce that it is joining the Technology Leap programme with effect from 2014. The background to the Technology Leap initiative is a disturbing trend that suggests that not only are fewer and fewer young people choosing to study engineering and technology, but of those who do, too few actually complete their studies. The outlook is so gloomy that Statistics Sweden has warned that, unless something is done, Sweden will be faced with a national shortage of 50,000 engineers by the year 2030. Many of today’s engineers are approaching retirement age and there is an urgent need for new, young engineers to take their place. The Technology Leap’s practical programmes attract ambitious and inquisitive young people to sample working life in the engineering profession in order to form a better idea of just how much a career in this environment has to offer. ÅF, which earlier this year was ranked by young engineers as Sweden’s second most attractive employer, is offering internships in both Gothenburg and Stock- “For us at ÅF, it seems the obvious thing to do – to take part in a programme that raises the profile, the status and appeal of a career in engineering, while also securing regrowth in the technology sector” – Jonas Wiström, CEO of ÅF holm as part of the Technology Leap programme. Interest during the application period in the spring was overwhelming. ÅF received more than 200 applications. Each successful intern will work under the supervision of a trained men- tor from either ÅF’s Infrastructure or Industry Division, or from the Communications Department, according to preference. The programme kicked off in the autumn and the final report was presented in November 2014. GREEN ADVISOR REPORT 201 4
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