The project examines how skills development can support high-quality eldercare, strengthen recruitment and retention, and address workforce challenges in the Nordic countries. Particular attention is given to employees with a migrant background and to how continuous learning, upskilling, retraining, and validation of existing skills can contribute to a sustainable and competent workforce.
As demographic changes increase the demand for eldercare services, the sector faces shortages of labour and skilled personnel. At the same time, new forms of work organisation, digitalisation, and increasingly complex care needs place new demands on employees and front-line managers.
Assignment
The project includes:
- a scoping review of research and grey literature on competence development in eldercare
- a mapping of policies, programmes, and initiatives related to skills development in eldercare in the eight Nordic countries
The review will focus on skills development that supports quality of care, recruitment, and staff retention. Both Nordic and, where relevant, international research and practice may be included.
The project will examine conditions for learning in eldercare, including how competence development can be integrated into daily work, supported through organisational strategies, and made accessible through approaches such as digital learning, mentoring, supervision, and peer learning.
The report will consider a broad range of target groups, including employees with a migrant background, young people entering working life, people changing careers, men working in a traditionally female profession, and both skilled and unskilled employees. Support for front-line managers will also be included.
Eldercare is understood as including, as a minimum, nursing homes and homecare.
Objectives
The project aims to:
- map knowledge, policies, programmes, and initiatives related to skills development in eldercare across the Nordic countries
- identify approaches that support high-quality care, recruitment, and retention of staff
- examine how competence development can address changing skills requirements in eldercare
- highlight conditions that facilitate learning and competence development in the workplace
- compare experiences across countries, municipalities, organisations, and geographical areas
The report will highlight differences between larger and smaller municipalities and organisations, as well as between urban and rural areas.
The project is intended to support knowledge sharing and the exchange of experiences across the Nordic region.
Project Organisation
The Nordic Welfare Centre manages the project and communication activities related to it. The Centre is responsible for the preface, language review, layout, and publication.
The project includes a steering committee and an advisory group. These groups provide advice on policy frameworks and national priorities, contribute knowledge of national experiences and challenges, support quality assurance, and assist in disseminating the results.
The Nordic Welfare Centre is an institution under the Nordic Council of Ministers and serves as a platform for cooperation between the Nordic countries in the fields of social affairs and public health.
Background
By 2040, people aged 65 and over are expected to account for 25 per cent of the Nordic population. At the same time, many municipalities face demographic challenges that affect the balance between the working-age population and those requiring care and support.
New demands on eldercare require employees to develop skills related to collaboration, responsibility, digital technologies, and person-centred care. Competence development is therefore increasingly important, not only through formal education and training, but also through practical learning, reflection, and organisational support.
The report is expected to be followed by a second report focusing on promising practices in the Nordic countries. This second report is planned for 2027 and is not included in the present project.
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