Trends in the pattern of lifelong learning in Sweden: towards a decentralized economy

Abstract

This essay offers an overview and discussion about the conditions for Swedish workers to obtain lifelong learning. It studies how the Swedish schooling system and the institutions for adult training have influenced workers’ abilities to upgrade their skills. A general conclusion is that a previous centralistic structure of education, labour market programmes and wage negotiations has transformed to a more decentralised economy, where individual incentives and abilities to make efficient choices during the life cycle are becoming increasingly important.