Educational programs that shape a better future

Competence at each stage of the education chain

To enable the steel industry to function and develop there is a need for competence from the whole education chain. This extends from the high school vocational programs and centres of higher vocational education (yrkeshögskolan) to colleges and universities. All educational levels contribute with knowledge and skills which are vital for the industry’s development.

An industry which requires a wide perspective and inter-disciplinary thinking

Today’s steel industry is characterised by technological advance, digitalisation and the transition to decarbonised production. Competence is therefore required within many areas, for example automation and robotics, energy, environment and stainability, data analysis and AI, maintenance and operating dependability as well as production process technology.

At the same time there is an increasing need for inter-disciplinary competence. The industry seeks those who can combine technical know-how with, for example, environmental science, IT and digitalisation, finance and business development or  indeed the perspectives of social science. The ability to understand how different dimensions of the business interact is becoming ever more important as the industry develops.

Materials Science – a key competence

The steel industry requires competence in many areas, but materials science is one of the key educational pathways. Knowledge concerning how materials function, are then developed and refined are decisive factors in developing steel grades, more efficient production processes and more sustainable products. Materials development also plays a central role in the work of reducing the climate impact, both in the production process and during the working life of the steel product.

Educational programs at High School level 

For many of the steel industry’s future operators, process engineers and maintenance engineers the foundation is laid at high school. At the same time, the higher education preparatory programs provide a solid basis for further studies for engineers, for example.

The vocational programs combine practical know-how with technical understanding, while the higher education preparatory programs focus on the theoretical knowledge required for further studies.

The following high school programs are especially relevant for those wishing to work within the steel industry:

• The Industrial Technology program
• Electrical and Energy program
• The Technology program
  • The Technology program’s fourth year, high school engineer/technical college graduate
• The Science program
• Higher Vocational Educational (HVE) programs  
• Bergsskolan in Filipstad, Sweden

Higher Vocational Educational programs  

Bergsskolan in Filipstad 

Bergsskolan in Filipstad is a higher vocational college specialising in metallurgy, materials engineering and the engineering industry.  Bergsskolan in Filipstad offers programs developed in close co-operation with the mining and metallurgical industry and are designed on the basis of the sector’s competence requirement. Through internships (LIA) and close contact with companies the students are enabled to combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience.

 The educational programs offered are:

Mining Technician, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
Mining Engineer, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
Mining Technician, Mining and Rock Engineering
Mining Engineer, Mining and Rock Engineering 

Master of Science in Engineering programs

Materials Design at Kungliga Tekniska högskolan (KTH)

The Master’s program in Materials Design at KTH enables the student to acquire knowledge of different material properties, areas of application and environmental impact. The program looks at how materials are produced and how new materials are developed for future needs.

Materials Engineering at Luleå University of Technology (LTU)

The Master’s program in Materials Engineering at LTU enables the student to acquire knowledge of materials and their properties through the entire life cycle, from production to recycling. This program combines chemistry, physics and engineering with laboratory work and focuses on sustainable and resource-efficient materials development.

Sustainable Process and Chemical Engineering at LTU

The Master’s program in Sustainable Process and Chemical Engineering at LTU provides an understanding of chemical processes and how they can be developed to become more efficient and sustainable. The program covers the entire process chain, from raw material to recycling and includes project- and laboratory-based work in collaboration with the industry.

Engineering Physics with Materials Science at Uppsala University 

The Master’s Program in Engineering Physics with Materials Science at Uppsala University combines a broad physics foundation with knowledge concerning materials and their properties. The program gives an insight into how materials both shape and enable technical solutions within different areas.

Further Master of Science in Engineering programs

In addition to the above programs, there are a number of Master of Science in Engineering programs that offer the opportunity of specialising within materials engineering through elective master’s programs or specialisations.