Prospective graduates from the Alcoa Fjarðaál Industrial School visited Reykjavík University

A group of prospective graduates from the Alcoa Fjarðaál Industrial School recently visited Reykjavík University to explore future study opportunities. The group consisted of 20 students who will graduate from the school’s advanced programme at the end of April.

During the visit, the students received an overview of Reykjavík University's study programmes, with a particular focus on the University Preliminary Studies and the Department of Applied Engineering. Hildur Katrín, Head of Student Counselling, also met with the group to discuss academic pathways and choosing the right field of study. The visit concluded with a guided tour of the university campus.

It was very beneficial for the group to receive an introduction to possible next steps in their educational journey. It can be a challenge for a high-tech industrial company located in East Iceland to recruit individuals with exactly the skills we need. Therefore, we place strong emphasis on supporting employees' professional growth, for example, through educational grants. In that sense, the company and its employees work hand in hand to build the expertise needed to operate the aluminium plant.

Ingibjörg Gróa Magnúsdóttir, Director of Education at Alcoa Fjarðaál, said, adding that many employees at the company are skilled tradespeople, technicians and engineers.

“Many of the students were visiting a university for the first time, so it was valuable for them to be able to imagine themselves pursuing higher education,” she said.

A Strong Foundation for Further Studies

The Alcoa Fjarðaál Industrial School is a collaborative project between Alcoa Fjarðaál and Austurbrú. The program is open to employees of the aluminium plant who meet specific requirements and is divided into basic and advanced levels.

Since its establishment in 2011, a total of 343 students have completed the programme, including 189 at the basic level and 154 at the advanced level.

The school, along with similar programmes run by Norðurál and Rio Tinto, follows an official curriculum. Parts of the program are also accredited toward a matriculation examination, providing a solid foundation for further studies.

On behalf of RU, we would like to thank the group for their visit and hope to welcome some of them at RU in the near future.