Saab opens Technical High School

Sixteen pupils are today beginning a three-year journey at the leading edge of technology when Saab’s technical high school in Arboga, Sweden, opens its doors for the first time.

In many parts of the world, interest in science and technology is declining among the younger generation. In Sweden, the number of students applying for master of engineering courses has decreased by 18 percent over the past five years and by 23 percent for bachelor of engineering courses. This trend is problematic – both for society as a whole and in particular for high tech industries such as Saab.
Looking to safeguard the provision of skills in the future

If this trend continues, the lack of engineers will become acute with negative effects for Swedish business. Saab is undertaking several actions to reverse the trend, one of which is its commitment to “Saab’s technical high school” (STG).

“The demand for Saab’s services is considerable, therefore we must ensure that we are able to recruit competent engineers in the future. Interest in the courses have exceeded our expectations and we will probably be expanding the number of places or with additional schools in Sweden in the future,” says Lars-Erik Wige, Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Saab Aerotech
Close contact with Saab over three years

STG is a national level technical upper secondary programme that is jointly run by Saab and Vasagymnasiet in Arboga. The programme is a three-year preparatory programme consisting of a broad technical education including a number of Saab-oriented courses.

The pupils, who are commencing the first day of the programme today, will have close contact with Saab throughout their studies and, in addition to receiving a first class education, they will also receive paid summer work experience as well as language courses.



How Saab is promoting technical interest

* Collaboration with a college in Centurion, South Africa, concentrating on engineering technical expertise.
* In South Africa, Saab is also contributing to a further three school projects with both grants and equipment in the form of tools, machinery etc.
* Technical college in Linköping, Sweden, developed by Saab and local business and the municipal authority, offers high school education with a three-year technology-based industrial programme, adult education and summer internships for high school pupils.
* Framtidståget (the Future train), annual activity to inspire middle school and high school pupils to continue onto further education.
* Sponsor for the Swedish Championship in Technology (Teknik-SM) aimed at Technical universities.
* Promotion of Saab at careers information days at various universities.
* Offers internships, study visits and thesis work for middle and high school pupils and university students.
* Collaborates with Arboga municipal council and schools in order to secure competence over the long term, including through Saab’s technical high school (STG).