المصاعد تحت الأضواء في مسابقة ستوكهولم للمهارات المهنية

فني مصاعد من شركة KONE يتوج بطلاً وطنياً لـ Yrkes-SM.

by Madeleine Olausson, EW Correspondent
images courtesy of KONE

Yrkes-SM, a Swedish vocational skills competition for young people, was held in Stockholm on May 4-6. Over three days, competitions were organized in a wide range of professions, and new champions were crowned. Per competition rules, participants were no older than 25 and either currently enrolled or had previously completed vocational training in their represented fields. This year was the first time lift technicians competed.

This stemmed from the Swedish Association of Lifts and Escalators asking its members last year if it was time to include the lift technician profession in the event.

Linda Hald, KONE's talent acquisition specialist, says she didn't hesitate to join in. Together with Stockholm-based higher vocational institution Xenter Botkyrka, KONE stepped in to partner with the association on the event, an industry-wide initiative that focuses on developing the future workforce. A project group was formed, led by Sara Berggren and Marcus Sjöberg Nilsson from the association, with contributions from Hald, Stina Bäckman and Mikael Lindblom from KONE, as well as Oskar Andersson from Xenter, all of whom brought commitment, knowledge and passion.

Hald further stated KONE chose to participate to show how exciting and innovative the lift and escalator technician profession can be. It is an industry with which many young people are not familiar, she observed, combining technology, safety, problem-solving and a very concrete social mission. For KONE, it's important to raise young people's awareness of the profession, and the OEM felt Yrkes-SM was a great forum for meeting young talents and showing what the work means in practice.

With 31,642 visitors and 80 professions represented on-site, the 2026 edition of the Swedish Vocational Championships was the largest so far.

KONE viewed the event as an opportunity to both support the industry and show how quality and professional pride define its technicians' work.

The need for lift technicians is growing for several reasons in Sweden. Hald pointed out that many experienced technicians are due to retire in the coming years. Meanwhile, cities are expanding, with more properties requiring advanced vertical-transportation (VT) solutions. In addition, technology is becoming more digital and smarter, which means both new installations and existing systems require skilled technicians. In short: Lifts must work all the time, and that requires people who know the job. It is a profession that is both important and sustainable in the long term.

Out of a total of 12 competitors, KONE was represented by seven technicians: David Eriksson, David Eråker, Elliot Holm, Rasmus Holm, Louis Karlsson, Tobiaz Ollman and Adam Osman. The technicians competed over two days in three different stages, with two from each day making it to the final. The competitive elements on days one and two involved renovating a valve block, connecting an emergency phone and, ultimately, connecting a shaft riser. Four incredibly skilled technicians, who really showed what the VT technician professional is all about, made it to the final: Tobiaz Ollman, Elliot Holm and Louis Karlsson from KONE, and Pontus Wester from Motum Örebro.

During the final, each competitor had to don correct personal protective equipment (PPE), locate matching screws and nuts, assemble an LO30 lock and replace the check valve on a Hydronic 300 block.

Hald said she found the final day amazing: A large group of young people were in the stands and the entire project group was on-site. The technicians' district managers, as well as KONE Sweden's regional director Turo Parvento, came to cheer on the competitors.

When the final was decided, it was clear that Sweden's best lift technician 2026 is Louis Karlsson from KONE Gothenburg, with Elliot Holm from KONE Stockholm in a very close second place. Hald said it made her both emotional and incredibly proud to see KONE technicians take first and second place.

During the three days, KONE also shared an exhibition booth together with Xenter and the Swedish Association of Lifts and Escalators. At the booth, visitors could try activities such as assembling an elevator lock, sorting nuts and screws while wearing PPE and taking part in a TikTok challenge where they pitched ideas about elevators — both present and future. It was also a chance for visitors to meet KONE employees and get a feel for how they work and what it's like to be part of the industry.

With 31,642 visitors and 80 professions represented on-site, the 2026 edition of the Swedish Vocational Championships was the largest so far. The next one will take place in Helsingborg, Sweden, in 2028.

Yrkes-SM: Five Facts
The Championships are held every two years, and admission is free.
On-site, attendees can watch Sweden’s most skilled young people compete for Swedish Vocational Championships titles in a variety of professions.
Visitors can watch competitions and demonstrations, test their vocational skills and meet people representing different professions.
Examples of participating professions include painter, woodworker, tiler, IT technologist, automation technologist, hairdresser, goldsmith, nurse, vehicle painter — and now — lift technician.
Yrkes-SM has been held since 2004 and celebrated its 20th anniversary in Karlstad in 2024.

The purpose of Yrkes-SM
Increase knowledge and awareness of different career paths within the field of vocational education
Increase the status, interest and attractiveness of vocational education
Appoint Sweden’s most professionally skilled young people who then have the opportunity to take a place on the Vocational National Team
Provide students and school staff with information and inspiration about professions and education
Offer a unique platform for vocational boards, professional partners, sponsors and parties to work together on issues regarding young peoples’ education, career opportunities and market needs