In the county of Västra Götaland, academics with a non-Swedish background lack employment, recent arrivals as well as those who have lived in Sweden for quite some time. They make up a vast an unexploited resource for the employers in the county.
The Short Way is an educational program designed for foreign graduates who have recently arrived in Sweden. The purpose of this training program is to contribute to a quick and efficient introduction to, as well as becoming established in, the Swedish labor market. The program could also prepare the participants for academic studies in Sweden in order to complement a diploma or education.
The training program is run by the University of Skövde in cooperation with Arbetsförmedlingen (the national employment agency). In order to take part in the program, the participants must be registered at Arbetsförmedlingen. Find your local Arbetsförmedling 
The program is intended for newly arrived persons with an academic degree, at least three years of academic studies, or the equivalent. A valid residence permit as well as basic knowledge of the Swedish language and positive prospects for learning the language is required for taking part in the program.
The contents of the program
- Mapping and evaluation of academic competence and work experience
- Swedish language, career-specific Swedish
- Social studies including professional life in Sweden
- Job coaching
- IT
- Internship/work practice
Program layout
The program equals full-time studying and comprises about 26 weeks of training. The main part of the program is devoted to the study of the Swedish language. The teaching of the Swedish language is based on the learning conditions and needs of the participants. Teachers and participants will together plan the course contents. Studies at the University of Skövde will be done alongside work practice. Each participant's studies/internships will regulary be followed up by teachers/mentors at The Short Way. The participants regularly meet with a counselor and career coach for the planning of continued studies and/or work after the completion of the program.
Information sessions and starts of the programme in spring and summer 2013
All the information sessions and the start of programmes are held at the University of Skövde in Room E302, 3rd Floor, Building E. The information sessions include previous information of the Short Ways, interviews as well as tests in Swedish. The sessions are supposed to last for approximately 3 hours.
- Information session: Monday, April 15, 13:00
and followed by
start of the programme: Monday, April 29, 9:00 - Information session: Monday, May 13, 13:00
and followed by
start of the programme: Monday, May 27, 9:00 - Information session: Monday, August 12, 13:00
and followed by
start of the programme: Monday, August 26, 9:00
At the University of Skövde we give priority to graduates within our own fields of education namely engineers, economists, computer scientists, teachers, registered nurses, and behaviorists. That said, we gladly welcome applicants with academic degrees in other fields as well.