A crucial exception for the future of the industry is that students doing internships in the construction sector are not subject to the new requirement. This means they can continue to use elevID06 without having to obtain a passport or national ID card. When the identification requirements for ID06 cards are tightened on January 28, 2026, the industry will otherwise face a significant change: everyone who orders an ID06 card must then verify their identity with a passport or national ID card—a step toward enhancing security and combating workplace crime.
In connection with this, we spoke with Markus Brink, CEO of Brixly, who emphasized the importance of the exemption to ensure that young people are not excluded from internships, thereby securing the future supply of skilled workers.
For the construction sector, which is already grappling with a skills shortage and difficulties in attracting young people, this decision is absolutely essential.
“If the students had been subject to the new rules, many of them simply wouldn’t have been able to do an internship. We would have risked excluding the skilled workers of the future before they’d even taken their first step into the industry,” says Markus Brink, CEO of Brixly.
Internships Without Barriers – A Crucial Exception for Young People in the Construction Industry
The reason for this exception is that many young people lack both the financial means and the practical ability to obtain a passport or national ID card. For them, a strict ID requirement would have been a direct obstacle.
“Some families can’t afford to spend several hundred kronor on a passport. It’s unreasonable to expect a 16-year-old who’s just trying to get out there for their first internship to do that,” says Markus Brink.
BankID and Freja eID+ will continue to be used for secure digital identification, and the exception applies only to internships. For summer jobs or regular employment, the stricter rules will apply as planned.
The decision makes it possible to maintain a high level of security—without closing the door on young people.
“This is a wise balance. We get both security and inclusion,” says Markus.
The construction industry is crying out for more skilled workers—but the path to entry is fraught with obstacles
He believes the skills shortage in the construction industry is far from resolved. Despite some small rays of hope, enrollment in vocational training programs remains too low.
“When the economy slows down, young people tend to avoid our industry, and when it picks up again, it takes a long time to train new employees. At the same time, experienced workers are retiring. It’s a mathematical problem we can’t get around,” he says.
Although the market is showing signs of stabilization, this is happening with a lag. By then, many young people have already chosen other careers.
“We need to do a better job of retaining young people and offering them a secure path into the workforce—even when times are tough,” says Markus.
ID06 – A cornerstone in the fight against workplace crime
Brixly is committed to keeping its workplaces free of unscrupulous actors, and the ID06 system plays a key role in this effort.
“ID06 is our most effective and well-organized tool for keeping track of who is actually on our construction sites. It’s absolutely essential for maintaining order and safety,” says Markus.
The link between the ID06 card and a passport or national ID card also provides an extra layer of security.
“When we link the card to a passport or national ID card, it becomes much harder to fraudulently obtain an ID06 card. The digital checks allow us to quickly obtain accurate information, which benefits all legitimate businesses,” he explains.
Brixly truly appreciates ID06’s work and looks forward to the upcoming revalidation of existing cards.
“Collaborating with organizations like ID06 is crucial for the entire industry. Digitalization leads to both more efficient and more secure processes. It should be easy to do the right thing—and it should be worthwhile to follow the rules. We must continue to develop the systems so that regulations are followed and unfair competition is prevented,” he explains.
Brixly’s work: “No student should be held back by costs or bureaucracy”
Brixly places great emphasis on bringing in more young people. Interns and apprentices are viewed as a strategic asset, not a burden.
They track the number of apprentices internally and run the “Learning Construction” initiative, which is aimed at people who are far removed from the labor market.
“It’s our responsibility to give those who want to enter the construction industry a solid start. Without today’s students, we won’t have any future apprentices, and then the industry will die—it’s that simple,” says Markus.
A call to action for ID06 and the entire industry
Toward the end, Brink sends a message to ID06:
– Keep up the good work. Digitize, simplify, and stay attuned to the industry. You’re doing a fantastic job—but keep developing and improving.
And to the industry as a whole:
– We must take collective responsibility. We cannot rely on someone else to solve the skills shortage. We are the ones building the future, Markus concludes.
Contact person
