What is skills development?
Skills development is about learning new things, sharpening your skills and keeping up to date in your professional field. It can give you greater job satisfaction, new career opportunities and make you even more valuable in the labor market.
It can range from courses and certifications to experience sharing and self-study. In short, anything that makes you better equipped for the future of work.
A shared responsibility
Your skills development is a partnership between you and your employer. You need to take responsibility for driving your development - but your employer also has a responsibility to provide the right conditions.
For employers, committed and competent employees are crucial to meeting the challenges of the business.
How you can develop your skills
There are many ways to gain new knowledge:
- Formal learning: courses, certifications or higher education.
- Informal learning: peer learning, self-study or project work.
- Internal support: Many employers offer internal training, mentoring and career counseling.
At Naturvetarna, we work actively to strengthen members' opportunities for skills development, regardless of where you are in your career.
Tips on skills development opportunities for natural scientists in:
- Environment
Pdf, 8.6 MB. - Tech Pdf, 12.8 MB.
- Life Science incl. health care Pdf, 10.5 MB.
- Forestry, agriculture and animal health Pdf, 19.3 MB.
More information is also available in the report How to sharpen your skills. Pdf, 28.4 MB.
Your rights to development
Under the Study Leave Act, you have the right to take a leave of absence for studies. This applies if you have been employed for at least six months. The employer can postpone the leave for a maximum of six months - so it is wise to plan well in advance.
Most collective agreements also highlight the importance of skills development, but the details may differ depending on the agreement and sector.
New opportunities with transition study support
Do you want to pursue a new education? Then the Transitional Study Grant could be for you. From April 1, the application is open for the fall semester 2025. The support applies to those who have at least eight years of work experience and want to broaden or change careers. You can receive up to 80% of your salary during your studies.
Read more on the CSN website
External link, opens in new window.
Support from transition organizations
If you want to change careers or are at risk of being made redundant, you can also get support from a transition organization. Among other things, they offer career guidance and can sometimes pay for training.
For natural scientists, the following organizations exist:
- Omställningsfonden: For those working for a municipality, region or Sobona.
- Trygghetsstiftelsen: For government employees.
- TRR Trygghetsrådet: For employees of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise.
- Omstella: For those in civil society.
- Kyrkans trygghetsråd: For employees of the Church of Sweden.
Not sure which organization applies to you? Search easily at hittaomstallningsorg.se External link, opens in new window..
Developing at work
Skills development also happens in everyday life. Take the opportunity to discuss your career goals with your manager and ask for:
- Internal training courses
- Participation in projects
- Mentoring programs
- Opportunities to attend conferences
Clarify your needs and propose concrete actions that will benefit both you and the organization. Use appraisals to create an individual development plan that you follow up together.
Take a skills inventory
A skills inventory helps you map out where you are and what steps you can take to reach your career goals. It can include both technical skills and soft skills such as leadership and communication.
- Identify the skill requirements of your current role and how it will change.
- Then map out what you are good at and in which situations your skills are in demand.
- Then identify your skills development needs and create a strategy for achieving your long-term career goals.
For more tips and concrete tools, read our report How to sharpen your skills Pdf, 28.4 MB..