Robot Charlie finds the right skills for Boden’s businesses

Boden’s society and business community are facing historic growth. The municipality has set an ambitious goal to increase the population from 28,000 to 33,000 by 2030, not least as a result of Stegra’s establishment and the roughly 1,500 new jobs it will generate. At the same time, many other companies in Boden are expanding as part of the green transition, making skills supply one of the greatest challenges ahead.

“The labor market is under heavy pressure, and we need more people with the right skills than are currently available in Norrbotten,” says Annica Zakrisson, Business Manager at EBK Infra, a company that has grown from two to seven employees in just two years.

To meet the growing demand for talent, Boden Municipality has developed a number of digital services. A central part of this effort is the database at Flyttatillboden.se, where interested individuals can register and upload their CVs. The site has around 45,000 visitors per month, and 2,500 people submitted their CVs in the past year. An analysis shows that 91 percent of registered candidates have relevant education or experience in their chosen fields – and have also expressed a willingness to move to Boden.

Automated matching

One challenge, however, has been to connect these candidates with employers. Until now, the responsibility for making contact has largely fallen on the job seeker – but that is about to change. On Tuesday, Boden Municipality presented a new digital solution: the matching robot Charlie.

Charlie is an automated email service designed to make it easier for small and medium-sized companies without their own HR departments to find the right staff. The service is free of charge and filters matches in the municipality’s database, based on candidates’ skills and employers’ needs.

Employers receive an email with relevant candidates and a summary of their background and education, while candidates are introduced to companies that match their profile. Automatic follow-ups ensure that contact has been made and to track the outcome.

“We want to make the recruitment process as simple and efficient as possible. Alongside this, we link our digital marketing about life in Boden. That way, we reach people open to moving here, encourage them to register and then get matched via Noah,” says Beatrice Isaksson, Digital Marketing Officer at Boden Municipality.

Not the sole solution to the skills challenge

Ten companies of varying sizes have already signed up to test the service this spring. Following evaluation, it may be made available to more employers. EBK Infra, a consulting company in construction, land and infrastructure, is one of them – and Annica Zakrisson is hopeful about what it could mean.

“We have looked a lot at returnees, but this can also help us find people willing to relocate here. That is exactly what we need.”

The matching service Charlie is part of a broader strategy where the municipality actively works to showcase Boden and the opportunities available here. Through Flyttatillboden.se, potential residents can get a complete picture of life in Boden – not only job opportunities, but also housing, leisure and community services.

“We need to be clear that Charlie alone will not solve the skills challenge, but it is an important support in recruitment and a tool that can help companies find relevant candidates,” concludes Beatrice Isaksson.