Technology development is a prerequisite for Swedish companies’ continued growth, success, and innovative power, but the lack of competence in technology and IT threatens long-term growth in the region. The three companies have decided to make a joint investment and take greater responsibility for the development of Swedish technology and the next generation of individuals by inspiring and engaging students at an early age.
To reach more than 3,000 students per year, Knightec, Scania, and Granitor Systems will inspire through real-life examples and motivate students to believe in their abilities. A chance that is possible when bridges are built between schools and businesses.
– To meet future requirements in technology and IT, we must collaborate with schools and develop students’ skills. It is among the next generation that we will find the solution. Partnerships are the way forward, and it, therefore, feels logical to do this together with other businesses with strong values, says Christian Levin, CEO for Scania.
The school collaboration program started in 2008 and aims to exchange experiences, improve diversity, while supporting students to believe in their abilities, and inspire them to further their studies at high school. It is a chance for students to meet professionals, participate in real working life situations and it broadens the picture of what an engineer is and does. Today, the program has four key pillars; lectures at the school, a visit to the office, a scholarship assignment, and summer jobs at one of the companies.
– The best thing about school collaborations is that we inspire one another and develop together. For me, school collaborations are one long journey of learning about integration, diversity, societal development, and how we become relevant as companies in the future society. At the same time, we have the opportunity to become role models and inspire students, says Dimitris Gioulekas, founder and CEO of Knightec.
– Many of the students we meet do not always have someone who inspires them or can show them the career opportunities that exist. This is where we make a difference. And being able to offer ninth-graders summer jobs is an incredible opportunity, a unique one, says Carolina Hemmingsson, HR Manager for Granitor Automation.
Knightec, Scania, and Granitor Systems aim to reach even more students around Sweden every year. In addition, the school collaboration program will be expanded to include a talent program and network for 15 university students per year who will help run the school collaborations with the companies. The students will also be connected to the companies and participate in cases and assignments to learn more about the companies and contribute with new perspectives and resources.
– We are fully committed and will work at full speed to be a prominent part of a socially sustainable society. We are now looking for schools that want to be part of this fantastic journey. We do it for real, and we do it together – we are building bridges between school and business, says Elvira Ahlring, Head of School Collaborations.
For more information, please contact:
Elvira Ahlring, elvira.ahlring@knightec.se, +46 (0) 72 456 71 52