Work experience placement: what is needed before you start

What is a work experience placement?

A work experience placement (arbetspraktik) is a programme at Arbetsförmedlingen, the Swedish Public Employment Service, where you try working at a real workplace. You learn an occupation, show what you can do and gain experience to put on your CV.

A work experience placement is not employment. Arbetsförmedlingen assesses and decides whether you will get a placement, based on what you need to get closer to a job.

Who can get a work experience placement?

You need to be registered as a job seeker with Arbetsförmedlingen. In addition, one of the following must apply to you:

• You are at least 25 and unemployed, or at risk of becoming unemployed.
• You are 18 or older and far from the labour market.
• You take part in the job guarantee for young people (jobbgarantin för ungdomar) or the job and development guarantee (jobb- och utvecklingsgarantin).
• You take part in, or have taken part in, the introduction programme (etableringsprogrammet).
• You have a disability that affects your ability to work.

What must be in place before you start

Several things need to be in place before your first day. That is why it takes some time.

1. A decision from Arbetsförmedlingen. The placement must be justified as a way to help you towards a job. Arbetsförmedlingen refers you to the placement.
2. A workplace that wants to take you on. It can be a private company, a public employer, a non-profit association or a person who runs their own business.
3. A supervisor. The workplace appoints a person who looks after you and teaches you the work. You should not work alone.
4. An agreement. Arbetsförmedlingen makes an agreement with the workplace and plans the set-up together with you and the employer.
5. The trade union is consulted. Arbetsförmedlingen asks the trade union at the workplace whether the workplace is suitable. If there is no collective agreement, they ask a union within the industry. The union gives its opinion, but the decision is Arbetsförmedlingen’s.
6. Checks of the employer. Among other things, Arbetsförmedlingen checks that the employer does not have tax debts over SEK 10,000, is not bankrupt and does not have serious shortcomings in the work environment. They also run a credit check.

How long does the placement last?

A work experience placement lasts at most six months. If you take part in the job guarantee for young people, the limit is three months. The placement is usually full time.

The placement can be ended or changed if Arbetsförmedlingen changes your plan.

Compensation during the placement

The employer does not pay any salary. Instead, you can get compensation from Försäkringskassan, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency:

If you still get a salary or other benefits from the employer for the same day, the compensation is reduced by the same amount. If you fall ill, you must report sick to Arbetsförmedlingen on the very first day.

Insurance and work environment

During the placement you are insured through Arbetsförmedlingen, with both personal injury insurance and group life insurance. The personal injury insurance applies during the placement and on your way there and back, but not in your free time.

You do not count as an employee under the Work Environment Act (arbetsmiljölagen), but some of its rules still apply to you. The employer must give you an introduction, tell you about the risks in the work and give you protective equipment when needed. Serious accidents must be reported immediately to the Swedish Work Environment Authority (Arbetsmiljöverket).

For the employer: what applies

• No salary costs. The trainee gets their compensation from Försäkringskassan. You cover the supervisor’s time, the introduction and protective equipment when needed.
• The placement must not replace regular staff. Arbetsförmedlingen must make sure that placements do not push out ordinary jobs.
• A certificate afterwards. If the placement does not lead to employment, you must write a certificate about the placement.
• Damage. If the trainee causes damage, you can in some cases apply for compensation from Arbetsförmedlingen.

Looking for staff? Read about how we help employers and about hiring support.

Vocational skills assessment and work training

Vocational skills assessment (yrkeskompetensbedömning) is a short part of the work experience placement for you if you have no or little Swedish work experience. A supervisor at the workplace assesses what you can do in your occupation. It lasts from one day up to three weeks.

Work training (arbetsträning) is a different measure, for you if you take part in the job and development guarantee, the job guarantee for young people or the introduction programme. There is no requirement for you to be productive.

Placements when you take part in Prepare and Match

A work experience placement is a separate programme that Arbetsförmedlingen decides on. As a provider of Prepare and Match (Rusta och matcha), we do not arrange the placement ourselves. What we do is look for placement opportunities and suggest a placement to Arbetsförmedlingen. Arbetsförmedlingen decides, consults the trade union and makes the agreement with the employer.

The meetings with your coach continue while you are on your placement. Want to know more about the support? Read about Prepare and Match for job seekers.

Written by Ajdin KurbegovicCo-founder, operations manager and job coach at Swefleet

We are a provider of Prepare and Match on behalf of Arbetsförmedlingen in Gothenburg. The text is based on the sources below and was updated on 23 September 2026. Rules can change, so always check your own case with Arbetsförmedlingen or Försäkringskassan.