Government allocates funds for 300 new academic places at Umeå University
NEWS
The Swedish government has decided to allocate SEK 8.4 billion ($1.19 billion) to strengthen the labour market and increase the number of new places at institutes of higher education, vocational education and adult education colleges. The package includes the creation of 300 new study places at Umeå University in 2010 and 2011.
“We are obviously pleased to have the confidence of the government, which supports that we are succeeding with our production of academic programmes and courses,” says Lars Lustig, University Director at Umeå University.
In recent months, both the Alliance government and opposition parties have in recent months been in extensive talks about additional investment in education and social measures. Now, both are included in a package that is considered to be broad and “unexpectedly large” by many analysts.
23,000 new educational places
•SEK 2 billion has been allocated to adult education colleges (komvux), which will create over 10,000 new places for students.•SEK 440 million has been allocated towards 3,000 new places within vocational high school, resulting in 6,000 more people than can study after completing gymnasium school.•SEK 2 billion will be invested in creating an additional 10,000 new places at universities and university colleges in Sweden. The 10,163 new places at universities and university colleges have been divided rather evenly, with most receiving between 200 and 700 new study places. •SEK 51 million has been marked towards a specific investment for Folk High Schools which will cover 1,000 training places.
“We were contacted by the Government Offices a few weeks ago, and were asked if we could join in this effort. And we needed no further consideration to accept it,” said Lars Lustig, and added that the bill is in line with the university's own proposal.
54,000 workforce places to counteract unemployment
In addition to spending on education, there will be SEK 600 million given to the Swedish Public Employment Service, and a further SEK 3.9 billion in 2010 for various employment measures. SEK 2 billion is to be spent on a new activation programme within government, municipalities and non-profit organizations, called "Lyft" (Lift). More than SEK 800 million will be used to create 3,000 places in employment training, coaching, skills development, etc.
