Skill Shift Initiative
Skill Shift Initiative (Beredskapslyftet) is a Swedish non-profit association founded in 2020 that mobilizes the Swedish private sector during crises, operating vocational training, job-matching, and humanitarian aid programs for Ukrainian refugees and other vulnerable groups through six corporate member companies and institutional partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersStockholm, Sweden
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Skill Shift Initiative does
Skill Shift Initiative (Beredskapslyftet) is a Swedish non-profit association (ideell förening) founded in 2020 during the COVID pandemic, headquartered in Stockholm. The organization mobilizes the Swedish private sector during crises and acute societal challenges, operating through six member companies (FAM, Novare, SAAB, Axel Johnson, Roschier, PwC) and a wider network of corporate, government, and civil society partners. Its commercial/tech profile is unconventional: it does not develop or sell technology products, but rather orchestrates vocational training programs, job-matching platforms, and humanitarian aid campaigns through coordination rather than SaaS delivery.
The organization's portfolio spans eight core programs grouped under four strategic pillars: (1) labor market integration — Connecting Jobs (992+ employment contracts facilitated for newcomers in Sweden since May 2022) and the AI:spire program with Accenture and Microsoft; (2) Ukraine support — Reskilling Ukraine (1,844 women and veterans trained in driving, construction, welding, and mechanics since October 2023), CURIOUS occupational therapy project with Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, Okhmatdyt children's hospital support (51M+ SEK raised), and Keep Ukraine Warm (211M SEK in energy equipment mobilized); (3) crime prevention — Rätt Kurva, active in 11 Swedish municipalities with 469 applications processed since 2023; (4) crisis response — Ukrainian Activity Center, Insats Northvolt displaced worker support, and the original 2020 COVID healthcare staffing program that trained 300+ SAS personnel.
Funding flows from member company contributions, Sida (main financier of Reskilling Ukraine, extended through end of 2026), the European Social Fund, the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Swedish Institute, Svenska Postkodlotteriets Stiftelse, Radiohjälpen, and major private foundations (Erling Persson Foundation, Wallenberg Foundations). Programs are free for beneficiaries; corporate engagement is philanthropic. The organization is governed by a board chaired by Anne Gynnerstedt (former Vattenfall SVP, Saab CLO), with General Secretary Malin Crona and Co-founder Fredrik Hillelson (Novare CEO) leading operations. As of 2026, a memorandum of understanding with Ukraine's State Employment Service formalizes cooperation on labor market reform.
Skill Shift Initiative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Skill Shift Initiative
- Legal name
- Beredskapslyftet Ideell Förening
- Website
- https://www.beredskapslyftet.se/english
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Skill Shift Initiative (Beredskapslyftet) is a Swedish non-profit association founded in 2020 that mobilizes the Swedish private sector during crises, operating vocational training, job-matching, and humanitarian aid programs for Ukrainian refugees and other vulnerable groups through six corporate member companies and institutional partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Skill Shift Initiative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Non-profit Crisis Response and Workforce Development
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dislocated Worker & Rapid Response / Reemployment Programs (EDAAAOAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Education Systems & Skills Technical Assistance (BPADAEAI), AT Implementation, Coaching & Professional Development (Teachers/Staff) (EDAKAIAI), Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22) (EDAKAAAG)
Keywords
Where Skill Shift Initiative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stockholm
- HQ country
- Sweden
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Skill Shift Initiative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Private Sector Funding & Membership Contributions: Beredskapslyftet's operations are funded by member companies (FAM, Novare, SAAB, Axel Johnson, Roschier, PwC) and private sector contributions. Projects are often piloted with private funding before scaling.
- Foundation & Government Grants: Major funding from Sida (main financier of Reskilling Ukraine), European Social Fund, Ministry for Foreign Affairs (UD), Stockholm City, Brottsförebyggande rådet (Brå), and public agencies. Also Svenska Institutet for CURIOUS (~2 million SEK).
- Corporate Donations & Philanthropy: Fundraising campaigns for specific projects (e.g., children's hospital Ukraine campaign raised 51+ million SEK; Keep Ukraine Warm generated 211 million SEK in equipment). Donations from businesses, foundations, and individuals.
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Skill Shift Initiative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Beredskapslyftet (Skill Shift Initiative) is a Swedish non-profit association that mobilizes the Swedish private sector during crises and societal challenges. It delivers vocational reskilling programs in Ukraine (transport, construction, technical trades), job-matching services for newcomers in Sweden, crime prevention programs for at-risk youth, occupational therapy capacity-building in Ukraine, and humanitarian aid campaigns including medical equipment and energy infrastructure support.
Product overview
Skill Shift Initiative (Beredskapslyftet) operates as a non-profit organization mobilizing Swedish private sector resources during crises. The organization's portfolio consists of multiple humanitarian and workforce development programs rather than a unified technology product platform. Core programs include: Reskilling Ukraine (vocational training for women and veterans in Ukraine across transportation, construction, and technical sectors); Connecting Jobs (job matching and employment support for newcomers to Sweden, including the AI:spire training program); Rätt Kurva (crime prevention for at-risk youth through police, social services, and business collaboration); CURIOUS (occupational therapy development in Ukraine); and Barnsjukhuset i Kiev (medical support for Ukraine's children's hospital). Additional programs address Ukrainian refugees in Sweden, energy infrastructure support, and workforce transitions. The organization functions as a coordination and reskilling entity rather than a technology product company.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Reskilling Ukraine: A program that creates resilience through human capital by training women and war veterans for critical infrastructure and community service roles in Ukraine.
- Connecting Jobs
- Rätt Kurva
- CURIOUS
Products and services
- Reskilling Ukraine A reskilling initiative that trains women and war veterans in Ukraine for jobs in critical infrastructure sectors, including transportation (truck/bus driving), construction (excavator operation, welding), and technical trades (vehicle mechanics, forklift operation). The program includes the OnTrack track for women and UNIT 6.0 track for veterans.
- Connecting Jobs A job center that matches employers with job seekers, particularly newcomers to Sweden. Offers job fairs, career coaching, networking events, and the AI:spire 12-week AI skills training program developed with Accenture and Microsoft.
- Rätt Kurva A crime prevention program for children aged 8-15 who have committed offenses and are at risk of entering a criminal lifestyle. Implemented in partnership with Swedish police and social services, with Beredskapslyftet mobilizing business and civil society support including mentorship, activities, and employment opportunities.
- CURIOUS (Occupational Therapy Without Borders) A Swedish-Ukrainian cooperation project that develops occupational therapy capacity in Ukraine through training, clinical tools, and professional exchange, supporting war-injured civilians and veterans with rehabilitation needs.
- Keep Ukraine Warm A national humanitarian campaign that provides generators, heating equipment, and power infrastructure to Ukraine following attacks on energy systems, in partnership with Radiohjälpen and Energiföretagen Sverige.
- Barnsjukhuset i Kiev (Children's Hospital Kiev) Support for Ukraine's largest children's hospital Okhmatdyt following Russian attacks, including medical equipment, ECMO training, VR technology for pediatric care, rehabilitation programs, and summer camps for war-affected children.
- Ukrainskt Aktivitetscenter för Barn An activity center for Ukrainian refugee children in Sweden offering Ukrainian-language education, cultural activities, and family workshops to provide continuity and identity support for displaced children.
- Insats Northvolt
Quantifiable outcome
- 1,844 trained (women + veterans) in Ukraine since October 2023
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Skill Shift Initiative
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Skill Shift Initiative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Skill Shift Initiative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Scania GroupcoreScania provides driver training facilities and expertise for OnTrack Drivers program in Ukraine. Partnership includes Scania Ukraine for mechanic training. Scania's facilities in Ukraine host training sessions for women as truck drivers and mechanics. Scania hired its first female assistant mechanics as a result of the program.
- Volvo Construction EquipmentcorePartner in OnTrack Construction program, providing training facilities for excavator and wheel loader operation. Volvo CE has partnered with ETS Group and Reskilling Ukraine on the 'Iron Woman' global initiative, now in its third group cohort.
- State Employment Service of UkrainecoreUkrainian government body responsible for employment. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in June 2026 at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk between Beredskapslyftet and the State Employment Service, formalizing cooperation on reskilling women and supporting veterans' integration into the labor market.
- Astrid Lindgrens Barnsjukhus / Karolinska UniversitetssjukhusetcorePartnership for training Ukrainian medical staff (ECMO, VR, trauma care), equipment donations to Okhmatdyt children's hospital in Kyiv. Karolinska trains Ukrainian doctors and nurses; provides fellowship programs; and coordinates medical equipment shipments. Svante Norgren, Head of Astrid Lindgrens Barnsjukhus, leads the collaboration.
- Ukrainian Veterans FoundationcorePartner in UNIT 6.0 program supporting Ukrainian war veterans' transition to civilian careers. Provides access to veteran networks, facilitates career counseling programs, and supports integration efforts.
- IrisgruppenminorSwedish staffing and recruitment company. Participated in veteran delegation visit to Stockholm and supports Connecting Jobs employer network.
- Folke Bernadotte AkademincoreSwedish government agency for peace, security, and development. Collaborates with Beredskapslyftet on veteran reintegration programs and international peace and security initiatives related to Ukraine.
- National Agency of Ukraine on Civil ServicecoreUkrainian government body. Partner in UNIT 6.0 and broader Reskilling Ukraine initiative, providing institutional support and coordination for veteran career counseling programs.
- SamhallminorSwedish state-owned company creating jobs for people with disabilities. Collaborates with Beredskapslyftet on veteran integration programs. Linnea Åslin from Samhall conducted training in Ternopil, Ukraine on employment opportunities for persons with disabilities within the Veteran Adaptation Specialist course.
- Ukraine Recovery Conference / Ukrainian Employment ServicecoreThe June 2026 Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk was the venue for signing a memorandum of understanding between Beredskapslyftet and the State Employment Service of Ukraine, witnessed by Yuliia Zhovtiak, Head of Ukrainian Employment Service, and Denys Gordiyenko, Head of Beredskapslyftet's Ukraine programs.
- NOA (Polisens Nationella Operativa Avdelning)coreSwedish Police National Operations Department leads the Rätt Kurva crime prevention program. NOA and Beredskapslyftet collaborate to mobilize business and civil society support for at-risk children and families identified by police and social services.
- Swedish Municipalities (Socialtjänst)core11 Swedish municipalities (Karlskoga, Halmstad, Lessebo, Landskrona, Uppvidinge, Tingsryd, Nybro, Huddinge, Södertälje, Linköping, Göteborg) implement Rätt Kurva through their Social Services departments, referring families and children to Beredskapslyftet's coordinated support.
- Accenture and MicrosoftcorePartners in the AI:spire program — a 12-week AI skills training initiative developed together with Connecting Jobs. Program targets newcomers to Sweden with tech backgrounds, aiming to build AI competency and support inclusive tech sector growth.
- Radiohjälpen / SVTcoreRadiohjälpen manages the 'Ge Ukraina Värme' collection for Keep Ukraine Warm (February 2026). The campaign raised 23 million SEK. SVT broadcasts the campaign. Beredskapslyftet is an initiator alongside Ukraine's Embassy, Energiföretagen Sverige.
- Energiföretagen SverigecoreSwedish Energy Industries Association. Co-initiator of Keep Ukraine Warm campaign with Ukraine's Embassy and Beredskapslyftet. Mobilizes member companies to provide generators, transformers, and energy equipment to Ukraine.
- Ukrainas Ambassad i StockholmcoreEmbassy of Ukraine in Sweden. Initiator of Keep Ukraine Warm campaign. Ambassador Svitlana Zalishchuk advocated for Swedish support during the energy crisis winter 2025-2026.
- Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (National Technical University of Ukraine 'Igor Sikorsky')coreLead Ukrainian academic partner for CURIOUS project (Occupational Therapy Without Borders). Provides institutional capacity for developing occupational therapy education and rehabilitation services in Ukraine. Hosts Ukrainian delegation study visit to Sweden (April 2026).
- KOLO Charity FoundationcoreUkrainian charitable foundation and partner in CURIOUS project. Led by Olena Kryvenko, Board Chair. Focuses on rehabilitation and independent living for people with disabilities in Ukraine.
- Stiftelsen SpinalisminorSwedish foundation focused on spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Participated in Ukrainian veteran delegation visit to Stockholm, sharing expertise on vocational rehabilitation.
- Aleris Rehab StationminorSwedish private healthcare provider. Hosted study visit for Ukrainian delegation within CURIOUS project, demonstrating client-centered rehabilitation methods and interprofessional collaboration in occupational therapy.
- Tent SverigeminorSwedish refugee support organization. Collaborated with Connecting Jobs on the 'Nu fixar vi jobben' job fair at Nordiska museet (March 2026), bringing together employers and job-seeking newcomers.
- AmbeaminorSwedish healthcare provider. Partner in fast-track training programs with Connecting Jobs for undersköterskor (assistant nurses). Ambea aims to hire 100 persons through Connecting Jobs events. 25 participants graduated through the fast-track program.
- Swedish Police / SocialtjänstcoreSwedish Police (led by NOA) and Municipal Social Services are the primary referring agents for Rätt Kurva. They identify at-risk children aged 8-15 and connect them with Beredskapslyftet's coordinated private sector support.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Skill Shift Initiative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Tent Partnership for Refugees: Global nonprofit that mobilizes the private sector to connect refugees with jobs, similar to Beredskapslyftet's Connecting Jobs model. Operates across multiple countries by leveraging corporate partners, making it the closest international functional peer.
- Novare: Swedish human capital firm and co-founder of Beredskapslyftet. Provides HR expertise, recruitment, and training services — directly comparable to the talent-matching and workforce integration work Beredskapslyftet coordinates.
- Sophiahemmet University: Swedish healthcare university and co-founder of Beredskapslyftet. Delivers vocational healthcare training (the original 'SAS to healthcare' reskilling concept) and operates the model Beredskapslyftet has since scaled to Ukraine.
- Tent Sverige: Swedish refugee employment initiative that has partnered with Beredskapslyftet on the 'Nu fixar vi jobben' job fair. Both organizations match newcomers with employers and provide career-coaching services in Sweden.
- Radiohjälpen: Swedish fundraising foundation that manages the 'Ge Ukraina Värme' collection for Keep Ukraine Warm. Comparable in mobilizing national-scale humanitarian donations and media partnerships for crisis response.
- Samhall: Swedish state-owned company providing employment for people with disabilities. Has directly partnered with Beredskapslyftet on veteran integration programs in Ukraine, making it a working peer on the workforce-inclusion mission.
Broad incumbents
- IRC (International Rescue Committee): Large international humanitarian NGO providing resettlement, employment, and training services to refugees and crisis-affected populations globally. Much larger scale than Beredskapslyftet but operates the same reskilling-and-employment thesis in Ukraine and Sweden.
- Folke Bernadotte Akademin: Swedish government agency for peace, security, and development. Direct institutional partner on veteran reintegration programs and a natural peer on Sweden's international development funding landscape.
Others
- Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency): Main financier of Beredskapslyftet's Reskilling Ukraine. Functions as a customer/funder rather than a competitor, but operates the same Sweden-led international development thesis that frames Beredskapslyftet's Ukraine work.
Regional players
- KOLO Charity Foundation: Ukrainian charitable foundation partnering with Beredskapslyftet on the CURIOUS occupational therapy project. Functions as a Ukrainian country-level peer in rehabilitation and disability services.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Skill Shift Initiative social profiles
Digital presenceSkill Shift Initiative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Skill Shift Initiative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Skill Shift Initiative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Skill Shift Initiative M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Skill Shift Initiative
What does Skill Shift Initiative do?
Beredskapslyftet (Skill Shift Initiative) is a Swedish non-profit association that mobilizes the Swedish private sector during crises and societal challenges. It delivers vocational reskilling programs in Ukraine (transport, construction, technical trades), job-matching services for newcomers in Sweden, crime prevention programs for at-risk youth, occupational therapy capacity-building in Ukraine, and humanitarian aid campaigns including medical equipment and energy infrastructure support.
Is Skill Shift Initiative a public or private company?
Skill Shift Initiative is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Skill Shift Initiative founded?
Skill Shift Initiative was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Skill Shift Initiative based?
Skill Shift Initiative is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, in the Europe region.
How does Skill Shift Initiative make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Private Sector Funding & Membership Contributions are the primary driver. The others are foundation & Government Grants and corporate Donations & Philanthropy.
Who are Skill Shift Initiative's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Tent Partnership for Refugees, Novare, Sophiahemmet University, Tent Sverige, Radiohjälpen and Samhall. Broad incumbents are IRC (International Rescue Committee) and Folke Bernadotte Akademin. Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) is listed as an others. KOLO Charity Foundation is listed as a regional player.
Does Skill Shift Initiative have an API?
No public API is recorded for Skill Shift Initiative.
What industry is Skill Shift Initiative in?
Skill Shift Initiative's product category is Non-profit Crisis Response and Workforce Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAOAF, Dislocated Worker & Rapid Response / Reemployment Programs, with a secondary code of BPADAEAI, Education Systems & Skills Technical Assistance. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.