Transforming Lives Through New Start Jobs: Grace Alsaaty's Journey in Sweden
In Ronneby municipality, a groundbreaking initiative known as 'new start jobs' is making substantial strides in addressing long-term unemployment while fulfilling operational needs of local businesses. The model is straightforward: the municipality connects job seekers to employers who require additional support, allowing companies to explore potential new hires with financial backing.
Lisa Hjelm, a local educator, emphasizes the necessity of bringing Grace Alsaaty on board as a valuable resource for her team. 'It was absolutely crucial for us to be able to bring Grace on board as an additional resource,' she notes, showcasing the tangible impact of the program.
Grace, a driven individual from Syria, relocated to Sweden in 2014 with a university degree in mathematics and statistics. Despite her qualifications, she faced considerable obstacles in her job search, namely rejections stemming from a lack of relevant experience and professional networks. Undeterred by the setbacks, Grace dedicated her time to learning Swedish via YouTube and obtaining her driver’s license to enhance her employability.
Her persistence paid off when she connected with the labor market unit in Ronneby, an entity pivotal in coordinating new start jobs. This encounter marked a turning point for her career.
Shortly after her meeting, Lisa Hjelm received the suggestion to include Grace in the teaching staff at Sfi, a school intended for adult newcomers where many students are native Arabic speakers. 'I was pleasantly surprised to gain access to such a well-educated person,' Lisa remarked. Even though Grace lacked teaching experience, they ingeniously adapted her role to provide support in the classroom. With her background in mathematics, Grace quickly became the go-to resource for many math students at the adult education center, effectively bridging communication gaps.
Lisa cannot overstate the positive development she witnessed in Grace. 'It's amazing to see how a person can develop when the conditions are right,' she reflects.
However, the journey was not without its demands. Incorporating someone who has been long-term unemployed and lacks conventional experience required dedicated effort from the workplace. Lisa emphasized mentorship and skill development as vital components in helping Grace transition into her new role successfully.
The new start job scheme proved fruitful, as after two years of proving her worth as a resource, Grace was offered a permanent position. This transition required her to attain a teacher's license, a goal she pursued alongside her teaching duties. In March 2025, Grace achieved her license and officially became a high-school mathematics teacher at the adult education center in Ronneby.
'We are very pleased to have gained a fantastic math teacher, and this experience illustrates how effectively the new start jobs program can be utilized. It benefits both society and the individual when you dare to see the possibilities,' Lisa concludes, highlighting the power of such initiatives in catalyzing career transformations.
The new start jobs concept is built to provide seamless support for recruiting individuals who have been unemployed for over a year, or for newcomers to Sweden with a minimum unemployment duration of six months. Financial incentives support up to 60% of wage costs, capped at 20,000 SEK per month, with provisions in place for a duration of up to two years based on individual circumstances.
In summary, Grace Alsaaty's journey exemplifies how innovative employment strategies like new start jobs can ignite change, paving the way for individuals to harness their talents and integrate into the workforce while also addressing the pressing needs of local employers.
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