Bjorn Tyrefors, Associate Professor and researcher at IFN, commented on a chapter written by Helene Norberg, entitled "Hur kan externa aktörer bidraTo be or not to be in till bättre arbetsförmedlingstjänster?" (How can external actors contribute to better employment services?). Tyrefors explained that researchers know very little about what works well for the Government (the Swedish Employment Services) vs. external (including private) providers.
In the book's introduction explains Lars Calmfors and co-editor Andreas Bergstrom, Fores, that many of the changes in labor market policy "is like a hunt for the 'high note' which will radically improve the effectiveness of the Employment Services. Unfortunately, most indications tell us that this great clip does not exist. That the best result can be achieved by a series of minor improvements in individual areas that combined have significant effects. "
Examples of suggestions from the book; a step-by-step reform:
- unemployment support should focus more on the most vulnerable groups of unemployed
- employers' responsibility for subsidized employment ought to be handled by the Swedish Employment Services or matching operators
- introduce trial periods before an employer binds to hire a with tax money subsidized employee
- greater flexibility in adult education programs and faster procurement of these training
- better documentation of different courses so that credible cost-earnings analyzes can be conducted
- better documentation and evaluation of municipal labor market programs
- improved validation of immigrant's merits
- stronger (financial or other) incentives for immigrants to learn Swedish
- more effective use of waiting time in asylum decisions
- better support for foreign-born who want to start their own business
Read the book (as pdf in Swedish)