- Immigrant Times
- Sep 13
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 22
Teaching and training for refugees in Sweden
Sweden offers fast-track teaching and training programmes in fields such as healthcare and teaching, which allow refugees and immigrants a fast-track entry into the labour market. Unlike some other European countries, Sweden also offers courses for asylum seekers while they wait for their applications to be processed.
By The Immigrant Times
It is not all about work and no play. In Lapland, refugees are introduced to snow sports like sledging and skiing. For many refugees, it is their first encounter with snow
September 2025: In Sweden, teaching and training for refugees is primarily provided through the government-coordinated ‘Establishment Programme’, which combines Swedish language lessons with vocational training and employment services. While asylum seekers have only limited access to formal education, various organisations offer voluntary training during the waiting period for a residence permit.
Once a person receives a residence permit, they are referred to the Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) and enrolled in the Establishment Programme (Etableringsprogrammet).
Duration
The programme typically runs for 24 months.
Mandatory components
Participants receive an individualised plan that usually includes:
• Swedish for Immigrants (SFI)
Formal, free Swedish language education offered by municipalities. The courses are structured into different study pathways based on a person's educational background.
• Civic orientation
A course on Swedish society to help integrate into daily life.
• Labour market services
Job-seeking support, career counselling, and internships to gain work experience.
Fast tracks
Specialised programmes have been created for refugees and immigrants with prior skills in fields with labour shortages, such as healthcare and teaching. These ‘fast tracks’ include profession-specific language teaching and quicker validation of credentials.
Vocational teaching and training (VET)
Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathways are offered to provide partial or full qualifications for specific occupations. These are sometimes combined with language training.
Teaching and Training for asylum seekers
Adult asylum seekers generally do not have access to formal state-funded education like SFI while they are waiting for a decision from the Swedish Migration Agency. However, several non-profit and educational organisations offer training opportunities.
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
Organisations such as the Red Cross (Röda korset), Individuell Människohjälp (IM), and Nya Kompisbyrån offer voluntary language lessons and social activities.
Third-sector providers
Some adult colleges and study associations receive government funding to offer ‘Swedish from day one’ programmes and other early initiatives to asylum seekers.
Teaching and Training for children and young people
Minors (under 18)
All asylum-seeking minors have the right to attend school, with initial instruction focusing on learning Swedish in preparatory classes. They are gradually integrated into regular classes.
Upper secondary education (age 16–20)
Youths with a residence permit can enrol in upper secondary education. Those who do not yet speak Swedish can enter a ‘Language Introduction’ programme to prepare them for a regular programme.
Asylum-seeking youth
Asylum seekers aged 16 to 18 have the right to attend upper secondary school. In certain cases, they can finish their studies even if their asylum application is rejected.
Validation of foreign qualifications
To help skilled refugees enter the labour market faster, Sweden has procedures for the validation and recognition of foreign qualifications.
Methods
The process can involve evaluation based on existing documentation or, for those who lack papers, methods like interviews and written tests.
Regulated vs. non-regulated professions
The process is faster for non-regulated occupations, like IT, than for regulated ones, such as healthcare and teaching, which can require additional supplementary courses.
‘Teaching and Training Refugees’ is part of The Immigrant Times’ open research project. You are invited to contribute, correct and comment. Email
Further reading: Teaching and training refugees in Europe || Teaching and training refugees in Germany || Teaching and training refugees in Sweden || Teaching and training refugees in Spain ||
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