The Technical College's future premises to be built in Hafnarfjörður
Representatives of the government, the local council in Hafnarfjörður and the Technical College today signed a letter of intent for the construction of a new campus for the college at the South Harbour in Hafnarfjörður. The Technical College's need for new premises is urgent, as it currently operates from nine buildings across the capital region. The new school building is intended to bring all its operations together under one roof, in a modern facility that meets the needs of the college and its students.
Representatives of the government, the local council in Hafnarfjörður and the Technical College today signed a letter of intent for the construction of a new campus for the college at the South Harbour in Hafnarfjörður. The Technical College's need for new premises is urgent, as it currently operates from nine buildings across the capital region. The new school building is intended to bring all its operations together under one roof, in a modern facility that meets the needs of the college and its students.
The aim is to have the results of the analysis available by the end of November 2021.
Lilja D. Alfreðsdóttir, Minister of Education and Culture, Bjarni Benediktsson, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, Mayor of Hafnarfjörður, and Egill Jónsson, Chairman of the Board of the Technical College, signed the declaration today. In it, they agree to appoint representatives to a project board, review the existing needs analyses and proposals for the structure of ownership and financing of the project. The City of Hafnarfjörður also confirms the city authorities' willingness to contribute a founding capital grant from the city in the form of a plot of land free of encumbrances and charges, along with a direct financial contribution in accordance with a subsequent agreement. It is intended that the findings of the analysis will be available by the end of November 2021.
„The construction of a new Technical School is long overdue, as the current premises are unsuitable and have long been inadequate. Enrolment at the school has increased significantly, just as enrolment in vocational and technical courses has generally done. In recent years, there has been a major shift in attitude and system, and during this term we have managed to realise a decades-old dream of increasing the importance of vocational and technical education in the country. I am very pleased with that success, but we need to keep moving forward and ensure that the vocational colleges are well-equipped,“ says Lilja D. Alfreðsdóttir, Minister of Education and Culture.
„It is extremely gratifying to see the growing attendance at the Technical College, where many of the foundational subjects of our society are taught. Alongside this growth in this important field, it is essential that the facilities for learning and teaching evolve and expand in line with the needs. Today's signing is a major milestone and the starting point for the excellent journey ahead,“The Icelandic says Bjarni Benediktsson, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs.
Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, the mayor of Hafnarfjörður, says that extensive development is planned for the harbour area in Hafnarfjörður, where the social life, services and business community will be brought together into a vibrant whole. „The Technical College's concept of its connection to its environment fits extremely well with the development and the master plan for the area. It is our belief that the Technical College's building at the South Harbour will be a great step forward for both the college and Hafnarfjörður.“ says Rósa.
Egill Jónsson, chairman of the board of the Technical College, echoes this sentiment, stating that the signing marks a turning point. „This is a great day, because the current school buildings are spread across the capital region and are up to 75 years old. Now we are building for the future and are based on a concept that has proven successful all over the world. We have prepared the project thoroughly and are convinced that a new school building will greatly enhance vocational and technical education in the country,“ ssays Egill.