Last week (30th November 2006) I had the chance to visit Stockholm to review the opportunities to spread the work of A4e into Sweden. After the recent national elections there has been a shift in government policy towards seeking to bring new innovative ideas to tackle the high levels of unemployment. Although at 5% unemployment does not seem high compared to some of the other countries we are working in (Israel and Germany are hovering around 10%) it is much higher than Sweden has experienced over the last decade. There is also an issue that the level of unemployment has proven to be stubborn to the traditional methods of reducing unemployment. Unfortunately the people who are most at risk of being sucked into this life of worklessness are the most vulnerable in Swedish society.

Part of the new approach means that government is looking at reducing levels of welfare to 65% and bringing the skills of the private sector to bear on this issue. Inevitably this is worrying for those organisations who are defenders of the workers. The trade unions led by LO are concerned this is a tactic to reduce trade union membership. It is understandable that the trade unions will be concerned and they must have the rights and concerns of their members at the forefront of their actions. However, I hope to be able to meet representatives of LO on my next visit to Sweden in January to share our experience of delivering these programmes in a number of EU countries.

I believe the strategy must have at its heart the right each for person has to be able to work. We must establish ways in which new employment opportunities can be opened up to enable a programme of “improving people’s lives” to be developed which has the broad support of the trade unions and the government. I hope to share our expertise in piloting these programmes and to share the results and feedback of individuals, employers and trade unions. New Deal (the brand name given to the welfare to work reforms brought in by New Labour in 1997) in the UK had and still has broad support from the trade unions. The delivery of these programmes has enabled millions of unemployed people to return to work. It is interesting to note that the policy was introduced at a time when the UK did not have a minimum wage and yet this has also been introduced to the UK to provide a solid base for all workers.

I can understand the concerns, but we want to be able to share our experience in the UK of supporting 100,000 unemployed people each year to get closer to the world of work. Clearly the conditions and issues within the Swedish economy and the skills and vacancy fit will be very different to that of the UK and we do not believe that one size fits all. However, there are transferable elements and lessons that have been learnt which I believe would be of value to all partners in Sweden as they look to tackle (one way or another) the stubbornness of these higher levels of unemployment.

I want to make sure that those people caught up in the guts of unemployment can see government, trade union and private sector providers working together to develop solutions to provide meaningful well paid jobs which are sustainable in the Swedish economy. It is surely cold comfort if you are without work to see little in the way of new hope ofjobs which match your aspirations. I believe A4e has a responsibility to bring to this debate our experience and innovative approach and a 20 year track record of making a difference.

A4e, with our vision of improving people’s lives, wants to be involved in that debate and I would welcome any views or opinions which this blog may stimulate. I hope we can make a contribution to the joint development of successful strategies in Sweden.