Did you miss SFS chairman Rasmus in P1 this morning in a debate with the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise about higher education? Fear not! Listen to the debate about whether higher education should be adapted more to the needs of the labor market: https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/debatt-ska-utbildningar-anpassas-efter-arbetsmarknadens-behov
The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise argues that Swedish students have a low rate of employment after graduation. However, according to the OECD report Education at a glance (2023), 93% of Swedish students are established in the job market within 2-3 years after graduation – a high figure in international comparison.
The problem is not the governance of education – but the resources and quality. Swedish students have the second lowest teacher-led time in Europe, a result of three decades of underfunding. A report from SULF shows that higher education today lacks a full 13 billion kronor in funding compared to 1994/95.
At the same time, the government plans to cut 20 million kronor from student unions, 30% of the total allocation, which further risks affecting the quality of education and students' connection to the labor market.
It is clear that higher education needs reform – but the right reforms!
Listen to the debate afterwards: https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/debatt-ska-utbildningar-anpassas-efter-arbetsmarknadens-behov
Debate: Should education be adapted to the needs of the labor market?
