"It’s a very idyllic town but I was a bit shocked when I came here. My dad and I was going to the cinema and we walked into a small room with six chairs, but it was cosy", Viktoria says about moving to "little" Skellefteå.
It was when the 20-year old social work student Viktoria Mattiasson was looking for a summer job within social work that her friend found an ad from Skellefteå municipality. They offered free accommodation for summer workers from other cities within health care, social care or support. In addition, they offered a SEK 10,000 bonus for those who work at least eight weeks within the social service department’s care-giving activities.
– Financially it sounded really good to get free accommodation and the bonus but that wasn’t actually what made me move here. When I talked to my manager at the interview she sounded very open to teach me things and give me work experience. The job would simply give me really good qualifications, Viktoria says.
Among 227 applicants Victoria was one of the 26 hired and she is now living in a dorm room at campus, working at a temporary sheltered accommodation for children and young people with neuropsychiatric conditions. From Lund University in Helsingborg where she is studying, she has moved about 1,300 km north.
– I find Skellefteå to be a very idyllic town. It's very hilly, it’s uphill all the way to my work, she says with a laugh.
Those employed within the project also have the opportunity to borrow a bike from the municipality for the summer and Viktoria thinks that everything has worked well.
Out of 227 applicants, 26 people were hired within this project. They get to stay for free in a dorm room at campus and have the opportunity to borrow a bike during their summer in Skellefteå.
– When I moved here I had the attitude that ”you can put up with anything for two months” but I think it’s worked out really well.
Viktoria also perceived that her and the others have got good support from the town hall.
– It feels very welcoming, they look after you, she says.
Inger Engström, HR strategist at the municipality and head of this project writes to Norran:
– We hope they enjoy Skellefteå – both working and living here. There are both available jobs and attractive accommodation so we hope that some of them choose to stay here and become a part of Skellefteå.