VOCATIONAL PROGRAMME LEADING TO AN UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOL VOCATIONAL DIPLOMA
Industrial Technology Programme
Do you want to work with tools or with large machines and be involved in manufacturing parts for machinery and other things? Are you interested in technology, mechanics and industry? If you want to work with developing industrial products, this is the programme for you.
Video: Video that briefly describes the Industrial Technology Programme (Runtime: 4:55)
What you will learn in the Industrial Technology Programme
In the programme, you will learn how to manufacture products, from idea and design to finished product. You will learn both craftsmanship and how to use industrial technology and advanced technical systems. You will also learn about how work at different workplaces is organised, product economics, the use of raw materials and energy, and how to ensure that products are of the right quality. The programme also addresses how the choice of materials, methods and technology can affect society and the environment.
The programme is based on assignments that you will complete either in groups or on your own. You will hone your ability to take the initiative and be creative. You will also learn how to run your own business. You will practice planning, implementing, documenting and developing your work.
The programme places significant emphasis on occupational health and safety issues, with the aim of preventing injuries at work and promoting good health.
The most fun thing was definitely a course where we launched our own production line. We students designed our own part, programmed the machining tools, and produced drawings and production dossiers to ensure the most efficient production line possible. Everyone really wanted our part and production line to be the best. As a result, we ended up with an excellent product and had a lot of fun along the way.
Ella / a student in the Industrial Technology Programme
Intended learning outcomes
The intended learning outcomes define what a learner will have acquired and will be able to do upon successfully completing their studies in a particular upper secondary school programme.
The intended learning outcomes for the Industrial Technology Programme (skolverket.se)
Programme structure
In the programme structure, you can see which subjects and courses are included in the educational programme. You can also see how many credits are earned for each course.
Programme structure for the Industrial Technology Programme (pdf)
Four different specialisations in the Industrial Technology Programme
Reliability and Maintenance
- You will learn about strategic and systematic maintenance. This specialisation provides the opportunity to work as an automation mechanic, service mechanic or maintenance mechanic, as a few examples.
Process Engineering
- You will learn about chemical and mechanical industrial processes, quality control, and control technology and engineering. This specialisation provides the opportunity for working as an industrial sprayer, laboratory technician in the chemical industry, or process operator, as a few examples.
Product and Mechanical Engineering
- You will learn how to handle tools, industrial equipment and materials. This specialisation provides the opportunity to work as a CNC operator (metal and wood), caster, machine operator, machine carpenter, assembly line worker, printer, production technician, sawmill operator or workshop carpenter.
Welding Technology
- You will learn how to use welding techniques and learn to process sheet metal. This specialisation provides the opportunity to work as a welder, or in a related field.
Diploma project
At the end of the Industrial Technology Programme, you must complete a diploma project in your chosen professional field. In your project, you must display evidence that you have the requisite knowledge to start working in the field in which you have received your education.
Learning in a Work Environment
Parts of the educational programme are conducted at one or more workplaces and lasts for a period of at least 15 weeks. These elements are called Learning in a Work Environment (“APL”). This is an important element of your education. APL gives you experience and contacts that may be beneficial when you are looking for a job.
Through your APL in the Industrial Technology Programme, you will learn how to apply what you have read about in school. You get to use what you have learned in working life and meet new people.
Apprenticeships
If your school offers upper secondary school apprenticeships within the framework of the programme, you can choose to take advantage of this opportunity. This means that you gain the same knowledge but carry out at least half of your studies in one or more workplaces.
Click here to learn more about apprenticeships as part of an upper secondary school education
Entering the workforce after graduation and examples of career paths
You can start working immediately after completing the programme. Below you will find examples of career paths for graduates, i.e., the professions in which you can look for work after graduating from the programme. Next to each profession is a link to facts about the responsibilities of the position and average wages/salary.
A career path is a suggestion of a profession in which you can work with after graduating from the vocational programme. The professional competence you acquire depends upon the combination of courses you choose within your programme specialisation. You will find examples here of possible career paths after graduating from the Industrial Technology Programme.
Automation technician
CNC operator (metal or wood)
Caster
Industrial sprayer
Welder, international welder
Laboratory technician in the chemical industry
Machine carpenter
Machine operator in the rubber and plastics industry, food industry, chemical industry, metal industry, filling, packing and labelling, stone, cement and concrete industry, textile industry or timber industry.
More about the professions:
- Machine operator in the rubber and plastics industry
- Machine operator in the chemical industry
- Machine operator in the food industry
- Machine operator in the metal industry
- Machine operator in filling, packing and labellin
- Machine operator in the stone, cement and concrete industry
- Machine operator in the textile industry
- Machine operator in the timber industry
Process operator in the chemical industry, pulp and paper industry, or steel and metal industry.
More about the professions:
- Process operator in the chemical industry
- Process operator in the pulp and paper industry
- Process operator in the steel and metal industry
Service mechanic
Sawmill operator
Maintenance mechanic
Toolmaker
Further information about the responsibilities of these professions and forecasts regarding the future prospects of each profession can be found in the “Hitta yrken A–Ö” service (“Find a profession, A–Z”).
Search various professions in the “Hitta yrken A–Ö” (“Find a profession, A–Z”) service
Eligibility to continue your studies after graduation
Do you want to continue your studies at a university or other higher education institution after completing the programme? This programme provides you with the general entry requirements for studying at an institution of higher education. After completing the programme, you also have the opportunity to continue your education at a polytechnic or independent adult education college (folkhögskola).
I want to work with something to do with production technology! To do that, you need to study to be a production technician at a vocational college, but I was hoping for a job in that branch. Now I’ve just applied for to a master’s degree programme in Civil Engineering!
Ella / a student in the Industrial Technology Programme