OpenTech is a non-profit member organization in southern Sweden working to close the digital skills gap and boost tech innovation across Greater Copenhagen region. By connecting businesses, academia, and the public sector, they help align education with industry needs, support SMEs, and foster cross-border collaboration. Through the Cross-border Talent Bridge, OpenTech is scaling these efforts to build a stronger, more connected regional talent ecosystem.

Our mission is to bridge the digital skills gap by advocating for industry needs, supporting SMEs in recruitment, collaborating with educational institutions to align curricula with market demands, and promoting lifelong learning initiatives. Through these efforts, we aim to ensure that companies in Skåne have access to the skilled talent necessary to thrive in the digital economy.

Why have you chosen to join this collaboration, and how do you see it benefiting your organization?

- We have joined the Cross-border Talent Bridge initiative to strengthen the Greater Copenhagen region's position as a global hub for life sciences and tech expertise, Carolina continues. This collaboration allows us to expand our network, share best practices, and enhance our talent attraction strategies. By working closely with partners in Denmark and Sweden, we can create a cohesive approach to addressing the talent shortage in the tech sector, benefiting both our members and the broader community.

What challenges do you face in attracting, retaining, and developing talent in your industry, and how can cross-border collaboration help address these?

- According to the Tech Sverige Rapport 2024, Sweden is facing a severe shortage of tech professionals, with an estimated annual gap of 18,000 tech specialists through 2028. This shortage not only affects the tech industry itself but also critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and public administration, which increasingly rely on digital competence.

Key challenges of the tech talent ecosystem

Key challenges include:

• Intense global competition for digital talent, which makes it harder to attract professionals to the region.
• Limited diversity and inclusion, reducing the potential talent pool and innovation capacity.

Cross-border collaboration within the Greater Copenhagen region can be a powerful solution to these challenges. By creating a larger and more diverse talent ecosystem, we can:

• Share best practices in talent development and retention across borders.
• Build joint education and training initiatives aligned with industry needs.
• Promote professional mobility, enabling talent to move more freely and efficiently between Sweden and Denmark.
• Increase the region's visibility internationally as an attractive destination for tech professionals.

In short, collaboration across borders can help us collectively strengthen our capacity to attract, retain, and develop the tech talent essential for innovation and competitiveness in the region.

What opportunities do you see in collaborating across borders within the Greater Copenhagen region?

- Collaborating across borders offers several opportunities, according to Carolina:

• Unified Talent Pool: Access to a larger, diverse pool of tech professionals.
• Shared Resources: Pooling resources for joint recruitment campaigns and educational initiatives.
• Enhanced Innovation: Facilitating cross-border innovation through shared projects and research.
• Regional Branding: Strengthening the region's reputation as a top destination for tech talent.

These opportunities can lead to a more competitive and innovative tech ecosystem in the region.

What long-term impact do you hope this project will have on your organization and the region?

- We aim to establish a sustainable model for talent attraction and retention that benefits both our organization and the Greater Copenhagen region. By aligning our talent attraction strategy, undertanding the industry needs and promoting the region's strengths, we can create a more attractive environment for tech professionals and we hope to built a robust talent pipeline that supports the growth and competitiveness of tech companies in the region.

Boosting Competitiveness Through Cross-Border Collaboration

How do you view the region’s competitiveness in life sciences and tech today, and how can we strengthen it together?

- The Greater Copenhagen region is well-positioned with its strong academic institutions, research centers like European Spallation Source & MAX IV, and a vibrant tech community. However, to maintain and enhance this competitiveness, we must address the talent shortage by aligning educational programs with industry needs, promoting the region internationally, and fostering cross-border collaborations. Together, we can create a more attractive environment for tech professionals and companies.

What role can your organization play in driving change in talent attraction and skills development within the region?

OpenTech can play a pivotal role by:

• Advocating for Industry Needs: Representing the tech community's interests in policy discussions.
• Facilitating Collaborations: Connecting SMEs with educational institutions and recruitment partners.
• Promoting Lifelong Learning: Supporting initiatives that enable continuous skill development.
• Attracting Talent: Positioning Skåne as an attractive destination for tech professionals.

Through these actions, we can drive meaningful change in talent attraction and skills development, says Carolina.

Which communication channels and messages do you think will be most effective for reaching both businesses and talent?

Effective communication channels include:

• Digital Platforms: Websites, social media, and professional networks like LinkedIn.
• Events and Webinars: Hosting and participating in industry events to engage directly with the community.
• Collaborative Campaigns: Joint marketing efforts with regional partners to promote the area's strengths.

The key messages should highlight the region's innovation, quality of life, and career opportunities in the tech sector.

Inspiring solutions for the Tech talent shortage

Are there any initiatives or best practices from your organization that could inspire others in the network?

OpenTech's initiatives include:

• Curriculum Development: Collaborating with educational institutions to align curricula with industry needs.
• Lifelong Learning Programs: We aim to motivate kids to choose STEM education.
• Community Engagement: Organizing meetups and events to foster networking and knowledge sharing.

These practices can serve as models for other organizations aiming to address the tech talent gap.

What do you see as the greatest opportunity of this project, both for your organization and for the Greater Copenhagen region in the long term?

- The greatest opportunity lies in creating a sustainable, cross-border talent ecosystem that benefits both our organization and the region. By aligning educational outputs with industry needs, promoting lifelong learning, and enhancing the region's attractiveness to tech professionals, we can ensure a steady supply of skilled talent that supports the growth and competitiveness of tech companies in the Greater Copenhagen area.

Get in touch with OpenTech

Main contact person for Cross-border Talent Bridge at OpenTech:

Carolina Garcés, Senior Project Manager Technology and Innovation

Send an e-mail to Carolina Garcés - carolina.garces@opentech.se

Learn more about OpenTech