A technical college is rising in Hafnarfjörður: The design phase now begins

The Technical College is rising in Hafnarfjörður

A new technical college is to be built at Flensborg Harbour in Hafnarfjörður. The government, the municipality of Hafnarfjörður and the Technical College signed a binding agreement to this effect today. The next steps are the preparation of the design and implementation, with the project scheduled for completion in autumn 2029.  

 „This signing today is a huge step in strengthening vocational and apprenticeship training; now the implementation can finally get underway. This has been a priority for me as Minister of Education and for the Government during this term, and it is a great pleasure to see another milestone on that journey become a reality. “The demand is there, both among students and in the business community, and so it is pleasing that we are now taking this important step together to meet that need," says Ásmundur Einar Daðason, Minister of Education and Children's Affairs.  ‘

The school in a single building

The Technical College is one of the main pillars of vocational and technical education in the capital region. Its premises are outdated, but today the school's operations take place across 8 buildings at 5 locations in the capital region. The construction of a new Technical College will revolutionise the facilities for vocational and technical education in Iceland. and technical education in the capital region and is part of the government's measures to increase its standing in Iceland. The aim is to enhance the courses and facilities, consolidate all operations in one location, respond to the increased demand for the courses, and meet the needs of industry.  

„We are now building with great ambition for the future, and it is long overdue to bring the operations together in one place.  The project has been a long time in the making, and we are extremely grateful to the government and the City of Hafnarfjörður for the support and trust they show the school by their involvement in this major project. “The school has great responsibility and we have prepared the project with care and are convinced that the school's new building and the philosophy behind its basic design will greatly enhance vocational, professional and technical education in the country," said Egill Jónsson, chairman of the board of the Technical College. 

30,000 sq m building for 3,000 students

A 30,000-square-metre building is planned to accommodate around 3,000 students on a vibrant harbour site, close to a diverse range of commercial activities. The project will be carried out in two phases; in the first phase, around 24,000 m² will be built.2 construction and in the second phase about 6,000 m2 An additional extension is provided for further expansion possibilities on the site in the future.  

Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, the Mayor of Hafnarfjörður, welcomes the agreement. „Life on the harbour front will change dramatically when the Technical College rises at the South Harbour and thousands of students attend. The school will fit in well with the development planned for the harbour area. We in Hafnarfjörður are excited to have the school in the town and are certain that its arrival will increase activity and further enhance our community life.“ 

The estimated total cost is 27 billion (in January 2023 prices according to Project board plan).  

Caption: Egill Jónsson, Chairman of the Board of Tækniskólinn, Hildur Ingvarsdóttir, Principal of Tækniskólinn, Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, Mayor of Hafnarfjörður, Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson, Minister of Education and Children's Affairs Ásmundur Einar Daðason, and Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson sign an agreement on the construction of a new Technical College, with the building site in the background.