I have Sven as my follower at the moment and I've given him some Elven Armour (Light) and an Ancient Nord Battleaxe (2h), but I have no idea if these items work for him or not.

Do the followers have stats and skills already? I read on the wiki that Lydia is a good thief, and I know Sven is a bard. If he's a bard, then Bow and Dagger surely?

Or do followers work like the player and what items you give them shape their skills?