Industry & technology
Industry & technology
Industry & technology
The need for electrical engineers is driven by what is often called electrification 2.0. Everything from heavy industry to everyday functions is becoming increasingly electricity-dependent. At the same time, many experienced engineers are retiring.
– We already see a clear skills shortage that is expected to grow even larger. It is not just about technology. Electricity is a prerequisite for society to function, says Micael Öhman, educational leader for electrical engineering at Luleå University of Technology.
The industry is already in the classroom
The education for a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering is three years long and is offered remotely in collaboration between several universities, where Luleå University of Technology contributes significantly to the research in the field.
The focus is on how electricity is produced, transmitted, and used, which is essentially the backbone of the energy system. Unlike civil engineering programs, this is a more practical route into the profession.
– This is an unusually focused education. You become an expert in electrification, says Micael Öhman.
The education is research-connected, continuously updated, and also includes new areas like AI.
– All who teach the courses are doctoral graduates, and in Skellefteå, we conduct research in the field of electrical engineering. What is taught in the education is at the forefront since we have very close ties to the research results and development in the industry. So, the content is constantly updated.
"This is an unusually focused training. You will become an expert in electrification"
Another clear reason why the education stands out is the connection to the labor market.
– Companies like Vattenfall, E.ON, and Skellefteå Kraft are influencing the content, contributing with mentors and offering projects and theses. The companies are very engaged in the education, which means that many students make contact with employers already during their education, says Micael Öhman.
Almost no one is without a job
After graduation, unemployment is virtually nonexistent. Many go directly into roles in areas such as project planning, operation, or development of energy systems. Not infrequently with responsibility in projects early in their careers.
– Former students are now working at energy companies like Skellefteå Kraft and Vattenfall, consulting firms, industrial companies, and authorities such as Svenska kraftnät. But many also work in the large process industries that are undergoing an exciting transition to more electrification. Thus, companies like Boliden, LKAB, and SSAB also need electrical engineers to keep the facilities running.
The student group is diverse. The average age is around 30 years, and many are career changers who have chosen to switch to an industry with a strong future. The education requires qualifications in mathematics, physics, and chemistry, but it is also clearly focused on quickly entering the labor market.
For those who want to work with technology, energy, and community development, this is one of the areas where the opportunities are currently the greatest.
– But it is important that you also want to work with people. This is not a profession where you sit alone in a cubicle and count all day. As an electrical engineer, it is about making teams function, ensuring that the solutions work, and there is a lot of coordination together with other people. It is teams that solve this; it is not individuals, concludes Micael Öhman.
Apply for the education by April 15 at the latest.
Learn more about bachelor's degree in electrical engineering at Luleå University of Technology
