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Ikano Academy helped Johan back on track

Founded in 2014, Ikano Bostad’s programme, Ikano Academy, trains young adults in property management during a project employment. These young people come from difficult backgrounds, often with criminal records and the aim is to help them into the job market.

With experience gained from working with landscape management at Ikano Bostad, Johan will soon join the landscaping company Hus & Villa.

Why are the police bringing you home every evening?

“I remember my mum asking me this when I was about 15 years old,” shares Johan, Academy member. When both my parents were diagnosed with cancer, I started getting myself into trouble and by the age of 9, I was well-known to the social services. By the time I was 11, I was drinking and smoking cannabis. I became violent and self-destructive and my journey continued in different treatment facilities. When I was 24, I hit rock bottom and decided it was time to change”.

Ikano Academy - fika break

By the time I was 11, I was drinking and smoking cannabis. I became violent and self-destructive and my journey continued in different treatment facilities. But one day, I decided it was time to change.

Johan Ikano Academy

A shy guys joins the Academy

Johan’s supervisor Ann says that in the beginning, he was shy and not so reliable. “Johan did not always show up, but eventually he grew into the role and today, his work capacity goes above and beyond. On top of that, he is a great friend and supports the new members of the Academy.

Reasons to be proud

“I now live in an Ikano Bostad apartment in Snösätra, Stockholm. I have completed my project employment at the Academy, and have been offered an apprenticeship at a construction company,” says a pleased Johan. “We are incredibly proud of Johan and of the great cooperation between the Academy and the social services which makes this possible. A once broken guy will continue his life with more hope and strength than ever before, and we are honoured to have been a part of his journey,” says Ann.

Hard work and strong friendships

Since 2014, Ikano Bostad’s Ikano Academy has trained and introduced more than 75 young people into working life through employment in the Ikano Bostad-owned residential areas Hagsätra and Västerås in Stockholm, Sweden. Like Johan, all of them got a new start in life thanks to the Academy and the great work will continue in the future.

Read more about the Ikano Akademien (in Swedish).

Ikano Academy helped Johan back on track