Surveys about Optics and Photonics in Sweden

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Surveys about Optics and Photonics in Sweden

Summary of the poll in the Swedish optics and photonics industry

In early 2003 Acreo AB conducted a survey of the need for particular skills in the Swedish optics industry, and how the industry needs are met by the Swedish educational system.

A questionnary was sent to 58 companies, with a return rate of 33%. Most of the companies in the survey are SME located in the Stockholm region. The average age of an employee is in most cases between 35 and 40 years.

The three qualification levels operator, technician and engineer were used in the questionnaire.

General trends

Recruitments

Although almost 2/3 of the companies claim to have an increasing recruitment trend, only 1/6 actually have ongoing recruitment operations. 1/10 of the companies claim to be decreasing their personnel, despite the fact that several companies have gone bankrupt since the mailing of the questionnaire. None of the bankrupt-to-become companies returned the questionnaire however.

The general trend can therefore be interpreted as an optimism for the future, with expected growth, even though there is virtually no need for optics competence in the current harsh economic climate.

In the long term, the most sought-after qualification level is Operator, followed by Engineer and Technician. In the short-term, looking at ongoing recruitment operations, the most sought qualification level is Technician, followed by Engineer. The reason for the discrepancy between the two could be that most companies currently minimize their production capacity due to the absence of a market.

Most companies welcome the initiative of a job exchange site on the Internet.

Identified gaps in the training

In order to meet the future needs of industry one needs to stimulate the interest among the young. The highest ranked actions in the survey is increased teaching content in primary and secondary schools, as well as performing experimental presentations for the students. Another proposal to make the students ”go all the way” is to stimulate diploma works and Ph.D. studies at optics companies.

Several gaps in the Swedish optics training were pointed out by the participating companies, and the gaps are listed by category below.

The highest valued qualification of operators is experience. Since there are no upper secondary educations in Sweden specifically specializing in optics, several companies have internal training programmes for their operators.

Technician

More commercial skills are requested.

Engineer

The training provision appears to be sufficient, but several companies request engineers with higher business awareness, commercial / communication skills and project management capabilities. Also better knowledge in optics and opto-mechanics is requested.

Summary

The most important results of the study are :

There are very few vocational degrees specializing in optics, and this is specifically asked for by the employers.
The industry’s short-term need of people trained in optics is low due to the downturn of the optoelectronics industry. In the long run, however, the expectations of industrial growth are high.
Commercial skills of graduates are insufficient.