Across the Nordic region, the demand for eldercare is growing rapidly as populations age. At the same time, the workforce is shrinking, making it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain qualified staff. Labour migration is already playing a crucial role in addressing these shortages. Migrant workers are an essential part of the eldercare workforce, helping to sustain services and meet the growing care needs of Nordic societies. But how can we ensure that the sector remains attractive, resilient, and equipped for the future?
As outlined in the Nordic Council of Ministers’ cooperation programme for social and health policy, the Nordic countries must work to ensure that people in need receive timely, high-quality care. At the same time, the Nordic welfare systems must be adequately staffed and operated by professionally competent personnel. However, eldercare services across the Nordic region are already facing challenges due to labour shortages and a lack of qualified staff.
To address these challenges, it is crucial to strengthen competence development, upskilling, and reskilling among employees in eldercare in order to ensure sufficient recruitment and retention. At the same time, new ways of working, digitalisation, and the increasing complexity of citizens’ needs place greater demands on staff competencies. In a situation where both financial and human resources are under pressure, there is therefore a need for a strategic and continuous effort that supports employees’ professional development and their ability to manage complex tasks.
Strengthening the Knowledge Base and Exchange of Experience
Commissioned by the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Welfare Centre is carrying out the project Competence Development for Sustainable and Effective Eldercare in the Nordic Region.
The project aims to strengthen the exchange of experience and collaboration across the Nordic countries on competence development in eldercare and to contribute to a stronger evidence base for developing initiatives and policies in this field.
The project is being conducted in collaboration with Professor Tine Rostgaard of the Department of Social Sciences and Business, Roskilde University.
A steering committee and an advisory group comprising representatives from ministries, public authorities, municipal organisations, and other stakeholders from the Nordic countries are also affiliated with the project.
The Project Includes
- Mapping research on competence development, upskilling, and reskilling in eldercare across the Nordic countries.
- Mapping national strategies, policies, and initiatives in the field.
- Examining differences between home care services and residential care facilities, between larger and smaller municipalities, and between urban and rural areas.
The results of the project are expected to be published in the first half of 2027.
Kontaktpersoner
