New report on the importance of dual career support

Since 2015, Stockholms Akademiska Forum has been actively working on dual career support through the Stockholm Dual Career Network (SDCN). In a new report – “The Hidden Cost of Neglect – Why Dual Career Support is Vital for Talent Retention” – we share some of our key findings from this work. It is clear that dual career support, i.e. support for the international assignment partner, is a critical factor in attracting and retaining highly skilled international talent in Stockholm and Sweden.

Here is an excerpt from the report:

Swedish companies are facing a major challenge, with around 120,000 vacancies to be filled in the coming years. Hiring new employees is a major investment in terms of both time and money, and the consequences of high staff turnover add to these costs. It is therefore of the utmost importance that the people hired by Swedish companies are not only hired, but also motivated to stay in their positions. An underestimated factor in this is the situation of the expatriate’s partner.

• Addressing this challenge requires targeted initiatives to support dual careers, which are a cost-effective solution relative to the potential losses.
• Over the past decade, Sweden’s ranking in the Global Talent Competitiveness Index has dropped from 4th to 9th place.
• 81% will leave Stockholm if the accompanying partner does not get a job.
• Taking a proactive stance on the dual career issue is of paramount importance if Sweden is to continue to compete for a highly skilled international workforce.
• A holistic and sustainable approach to international recruitment is key to attracting and retaining skilled labor.

Want to read the full report and get tips on how to succeed with dual career support?

Download report.