Pilot project "STAY" finalised – reports now available

The pilot project STAY – Understanding and supporting students' pathways into Jönköping's working life has now been completed. During the nine-month pilot project, researchers at MMTC explored why some students choose to build their careers in Jönköping Region after graduation while others leave, despite often having a positive experience of both the university and the region.

The pilot project was funded by Region Jönköpings län and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through Tillväxtverket – Småland & Öarna, and addressed a growing regional challenge: how to better connect the competence developed at Jönköping University with the needs of the regional labour market, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises.

Drawing on interviews with JU students and graduates, stakeholder dialogues, ecosystem mapping, international case studies, and a comprehensive literature review, the pilot project sought to answer three key questions:

• Why do students stay in or leave the region after graduation?
• How does the decision-making process develop over time?
• What barriers and unmet needs influence these decisions?

From attraction to retention

One of the clearest findings from the pilot project is that the challenge is not attracting students to Jönköping. Many students – both Swedish and international – describe Jönköping as an attractive place to study and live. The greater challenge lies in helping graduates establish themselves professionally and socially after graduation.

Access to relevant employment opportunities emerged as the most important factor influencing long-term retention. Other important factors included professional networks, social integration, housing, language requirements, and, for international students, migration-related regulations and administrative processes. Decisions about whether to stay or leave are rarely based on a single event; rather, they develop over time through a combination of experiences, opportunities, and challenges encountered during the journey from studies to working life.

Reports from the project

As part of the completion of STAY, reports from four of the work packages are now available.

WP1 – Literature Review pdf, 473.4 kB, opens in new window.

WP1 provides the knowledge foundation for the project through a review of international and Swedish research on graduate retention, employability, labour market integration, talent attraction, migration, and regional development. The review identifies key factors influencing whether graduates remain in a region and highlights the importance of viewing retention as a process rather than a single decision.

WP2 – Case Studies and Good Practices pdf, 411.9 kB.

WP2 examines initiatives and examples from Sweden and internationally that support talent attraction, labour market integration, and graduate retention. Through thematic case studies and analysis of existing initiatives, the report identifies promising approaches related to employer engagement, ecosystem coordination, international talent attraction, and student-to-work transitions that may offer inspiration for future development in Jönköping Region.

WP3 – Ecosystem Mapping and Stakeholder Perspectives pdf, 768 kB.

WP3 considers the regional support ecosystem surrounding students and recent graduates. Through interviews and dialogue with employers, municipalities, public agencies, university services, and innovation support organisations, the report explores how existing support structures function and where gaps or coordination challenges exist. The findings point to opportunities for stronger collaboration between education, employers, and regional development actors.

WP4 – Student and Graduate Experiences pdf, 730.7 kB.

WP4 presents findings from interviews and focus groups with students and alumni from across Jönköping University's schools. The report explores how graduates experience the transition from studies to working life and identifies key drivers, barriers, and decision points influencing whether they remain in the region. It provides detailed insight into student journeys, labour market experiences, social integration, and future aspirations.

A foundation for future action

While STAY was a pilot project, the findings provide a strong evidence base for future initiatives aimed at strengthening regional competence supply and improving the transition from education to employment, enabling more graduates establish their careers in Jönköping Region and support the long-term competitiveness of the regional business community.