Skillio and SALT: Competitors turned partners to solve Sweden’s data and AI talent shortage

The demand for data and AI experts has never been greater. Companies that lack data expertise risk falling behind in the evolution of data- and AI-driven business. However, a shortage of skilled data professionals is slowing progress across industries.
Recognizing this urgent need, two Nordic education providers, Skillio and SALT – School of Applied Technology, have formed a partnership. By combining their expertise, they are tackling Sweden’s data talent gap with an AI-powered, intensive training program designed to produce highly skilled data professionals who master the latest technologies and can apply them effectively to business needs.

“There is a tremendous demand for data and AI professionals in Sweden. By partnering with the data skills company Skillio, we are providing companies with access to a steady stream of top-tier data engineers, trained in the latest technologies, and ready to make an impact.” – Camilla Wallin, CEO of SALT.

From Competitors to Collaborators: A New Era in Tech Education

Traditionally, education providers in the tech sector have been fierce competitors, each fighting for talent, clients, and market share. However, Skillio and SALT are redefining industry norms by choosing collaboration over competition. They see partnerships, not rivalry, as the key to solving Sweden’s critical shortage of data engineers.

“We believe that collaboration and knowledge-sharing are the key success factors of our time. Avoiding competitors is outdated thinking—open collaboration and information-sharing drive progress for everyone.” – Stefan Heinrichs, founder of Skillio

“This is not about dividing the market – it’s about expanding it,” Camilla Wallin adds. “Sweden has an urgent need for skilled data engineers, and by working together, we can train and deploy talent faster and in a better way than if we were working separately.”

Fast-Track Talent for Swedish Companies

At the core of this partnership is a 12-week intensive training program that merges Skillio’s cutting-edge learning method enhanced with an AI-learning tool. Together with SALT’s industry expertise and recruitment model, the program ensures that the right graduates are equipped with exactly the skills that the market demands.

“Together, we are creating a high-impact solution that no other provider in Sweden can currently offer.” – Camilla Wallin.

Through this AI-powered intensive training program, participants develop skills needed by businesses in e.g. data management, data modelling and warehousing, and building scalable data pipelines. After completing the 12-week program, participants will step directly into data engineering roles, helping Swedish businesses stay competitive in an increasingly data-driven world.”, Camilla Wallin explains.

With this initiative, Swedish businesses now have rapid access to newly trained data engineers. The first data engineers will gratuate at early September. The program is specifically designed to bridge the talent gap, ensuring companies no longer struggle to find the data expertise they need.

A Future Built on Partnership and Innovation

Skillio and SALT’s decision to prioritize collaboration over competition highlights how businesses in the same industry can work together to solve critical challenges. By combining their strengths, they are not just training professionals, they are actively shaping the future of Sweden’s data and AI workforce.

The message is clear: collaboration, innovation, and shared expertise are the key to building the next generation of data professionals. Skillio and SALT are leading the way – together.