In English
A holistic approach to health care and social care education
The Health- and Social Care College Stockholm wants to ensure that more people receive first-class education in health- and social care. In one and the same concept we have grouped education courses at a secondary education level and in adult education as preparatory courses for college applicants to Health- and Social Care Programmes as well as several specialised education courses for axuxiliary nurses at vocational college level.
The education must offer development opportunities and career paths for employees in the care sector in the county. They must ensure that students receive high quality challenging education giving qualifications for continuing on to higher education.
What makes these education courses unique is the close cooperation between education, health care providers and research. This ensures modern education courses that live up to the requirements of employers and the expectations of students.
The quality level of the education that Health- and Social Care College in Stockholm offers is needed in a growing Stockholm. We have a growing population, a population that is getting older, and a population with high demands for its health- and social care. In order for us to be able to offer the residents of Stockholm County good care in the future, we must guarantee the supply of staff. With the Health- and Social Care College, City of Stockholm, the Stockholm County Council, Solna, Haninge and Botkyrka are taking a holistic approach to future challenges in health- and social care. The education courses are conducted in collaboration with the Red Cross University, Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm University and Södertörn University.
The Health- and Social Care College in Stockholm is certified regionally and regulated by the board for the college. Organisers of education who wish to conduct education courses as part of this concept will be certified locally under this agreement. As a result, the education courses that are conducted are run by different organisers and in different schools.
A college preparatory health care and social care programme
The Health- and Social Care programme allows you to gain knowledge and skills to be able to provide care and services to those who because of injury, illness, disability or age need care, help, dedication and support.
You gain knowledge in nursing sciences, medical technology and inter-cultural skills. You will learn about the body from a holistic perspective, about the technology in healthcare, how to keep records and not least how to treat people in need of healthcare and social care. Everything closely linked to both the world of work and research.
The education is research-oriented. You will get to work on projects, make study visits and conduct field studies to link theory to practical activities, formulate your own questions and draw conclusions from your work. Many of the teachers have research backgrounds and you will get to meet interesting researchers as guest lecturers.
The studies are a mix of theory and practice, and the lion’s share of your education is undertaken at various workplaces such as hospitals or in community care. Over your three years of study, you will undergo at least 15 weeks of workplace-based learning.
The international perspective is an important part of the education. International exchange is encouraged here, for example, by visiting workplaces involved with healthcare and social care abroad and meeting and sharing experiences with students in other countries. We have an international perspective with exchanges and study trips to other countries. You will have your own laptop throughout the education.
Why choose the Health- and Social Care College?
Are you interested in a career in Health- and Social Care? Do you want to work with people who need your support, dedication and your help? Do you have high demands on your education? At the Health- and Social Care College Stockholm we offer a college preparatory healthcare and social care programme for those with high demands, for those who want a challenging top quality upper secondary education. Once you have finished, you can either choose to work as a staff nurse, or go on to college and university. You can study to pursue a career as a nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist or social worker.
The Health- and Social Care College Stockholm cooperates with the Red Cross University, Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm University and Södertörn University.
Just as with other Health- and Social Care Programmes it is the person who is the focus. You study people from different angles and your education includes psychology, sociology, pedagogiks, medicine and health sciences.
With the knowledge you gain during the education, you will be able to make a considerable difference to the lives of many people.
Knowledgeable and comitted teachers
At the Health- and Social Care College you will meet talented and dedicated teachers. Many of the teachers have research backgrounds and you will get to meet interesting researchers as guest lecturers. All teachers are qualified, many of them with master’s degrees and all have experience teaching young people. Collaboration with student health team is important. We have study and vocational guidance officers, special education teachers, school nurse, and counsellor.
Higher vocational programmes with focus on health sciences
The Health- and Social Care College Stockholm offers a number of higher vocational programmes for assistant nurses . These provide opportunities for the development of professional roles and career paths for those who work in professional staff nursing in healthcare and social care.
Labour market: good
As Stockholm’s population grows, more people are moving here, more are being born and the population is ageing, the need for well-trained employees in health- and social care increases – while the retirement rate in the county is great. Future healthcare and social care will have a great need for nurses with specialist skills and with a developed solution-oriented approach.
Sciences and world of work hand in hand
What makes the higher vocational programmes at the Health- and Social Care College Stockholm unique is the close cooperation between education, healthcare providers and research. The education course concept is developed by the city of Stockholm with Stockholm County Council, in close partnership with the Academia. When the different perspectives of the collaborating partners meet, the organizers of education are easier to keep up to date on current research, new technology and methods. The needs and preferences of care providers, demographic changes, and new areas of research can have a direct impact on the education.
The education courses at Health- and Social Care College Stockholm are based on fundamental values that emphasize the equal worth, dignity and well-being of people. The same values are important for all work in healthcare and nursing, healthcare and social care. Ethical aspects play a particularly important role and permeate the entire education.
Future opportunities
Getting an education in health- and social care is definitely a good choice for the future. In addition, you gain by working as a staff nurse through further education. There will always be a need for trained staff in health- and social care, and it is a sector that never stops developing. New research and new advanced technologies are being continually introduced. You can never have too much knowledge, and there are always new things to learn. And new areas to explore.
There are several reasons to choose a future in the field:
Stockholm County is expected to grow by 35,000 to 40,000 people each year over the next few years. With more elderly people, newborns and children come new demands for more resources for health- and social care.
A third of those working in health care and social care are expected to retire over the next decade. In Stockholm County alone.
The need for skills in health care is constantly changing. New technology, new treatments, changes in population structure and the expectations of residents are a few of the reasons to continue education in order to maintain a high level of skills.
Sciences and world of work hand in hand
The education is based on fundamental values that emphasise the equal worth, dignity and well-being of people. The same values are important for all work in healthcare and nursing, healthcare and social care. Ethical aspects play a particularly important role and permeate the entire education.
Theoretical studies are interwoven with practice in the world of work. Teachers at the school and tutors out in the workplace collaborate on tools and methods to ensure that the theoretical aspects taught in school are translated into practical knowledge at the workplace. Over the three years of study, you will undergo at least 15 weeks of workplace-based learning.
Certification guarantees quality
For a region to be able to conduct education courses using the Health- and Social Care College name, the region must meet certain requirements and be certified by the National Council for the Health and Social Care College. The Stockholm region was certified in march 2010. The National Council then certifies local organisers of education in the region. The certification is a quality guarantee for the education.
The regional steering committee has the lead role in the development of the Health- and Social Care College Stockholm. The committee analyses the needs for staff and skills in healthcare and social care, and formulates quality standards for local and regional education courses. This steering committee includes representatives from Stockholm County Council, the unions, educational administration, elderly care management, labour market administration and the urban management office in Stockholm. Representation from several municipalities in the county will be integrated in phases at a regional level.
Each organiser of education also has a local steering committee that drives advocacy work and makes decisions about the school’s learning environment and educational content based on local and regional objectives and quality criteria. The local steering committee together with the regional steering committee develop the individual quality levels of the education.
The National Council: Develops the model and criteria at a national, regional and local level, and certifies regions and organisers of education. Members of the Council include Sweden’s municipalities and County Councils, Local Government, the Association of Private Care Providers and the Swedish Organisation for Local Enterprises.
The regional steering committee: Analyses the needs and formulates quality standards for local and regional education courses. The steering committee includes representatives from the Stockholm County Council, trade unions, and the City of Stockholm, Solna, Sollentuna, Haninge, Botkyrka and Sigtuna.
Local steering committees: Decide on the school’s learning environment and educational content based on the local and regional objectives and quality criteria, in consultation with the regional steering committee.
Requirements for certification of organisers of education
The local Health- and Social Care Colleges in the Stockholm region, i.e. organisers of education who are certified in the Health- and Social Care College in Stockholm County, must meet the following requirements:
- Qualification for college
- Students should be in demand by employers following the education
- Strong connection to the world of work in both practice and theory
- Extensive student participation
- Focus on health sciences and students’ own health
- International perspectives on health- and social care
- Entrepreneurial Learning – enterprising students who are able to implement their ideas
- IT and modern technology must be an integral part of the education
- Scientific perspectives on learning