Chairman of ArcticSkills Svein Tore Jakobsen, Lead Partner Manager Øystein Hansen,
Partnership Manager Robert Flatli, and department manager Bjørn Røsseth carried out the 3-day
Study visit according to plan. For the Norwegian delegation, the vocational education offerings
in Greenland were important. We held meetings and tours at KTI Råstofskole in Sisimiut and
KTI’s department in Nuuk.
The presentation of the various programs and the organization of vocational education at KTI
was reviewed. The delegation from Finnmark did the same. This was so that both parties could
assess potential future cooperation, particularly focusing on ArcticSkills vocational
competitions, which are held in the northern regions of Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Finnmark,
as a region and being the northernmost in Norway, has many similarities with Greenland. Both
regions, with their Arctic location, experience harsh climates at times, have cultures that are
similar in both regions, face challenges with recruiting for vocational education, and experience
youth moving out of the regions.
Achieved outcome of the Study visit
1. There was a shared view that there are many similarities between the peoples and cultures in
both regions. This was reflected in the fact that the meetings were very successful. Both
countries gained a good understanding of each other’s vocational education offerings and that
these fit well into a future cooperation in ArcticSkills.
2. In the ArcticSkills collaboration between Norway, Sweden, and Finland, a dedicated board
has been established, a partnership agreement has been signed, and cooperation has been
established between subject matter experts at many upper secondary schools. KTI Sisimiut and
the KTI department in NUUK were invited as full members of this cooperation. The management
received a draft of the partnership agreement afterward, and if this is signed by KTI/Greenland,
they are invited to participate with students in the ArcticSkills competition in Kirkenes, Norway
at the end of March 2026.
3. An agreement was reached that Kirkenes Upper Secondary School and KTI will continue the
cooperation that has taken place over many years, within the subjects that cover large
construction and work machines and other various courses offered at KTI. A new collaboration
on courses at KTI in heavy machinery repairs is also being considered, and Kirkenes Upper
Secondary School has offered assistance in establishing this course.
4. There were very good relationships and a high professional level among all participants in
meetings, tours, and excursions. This will ensure a good professional standard for future
cooperation between KTI and ArcticSkills.
5. An informal network was established between ArcticSkills and KTI. Everything is in place for
the ArcticSkills collaboration upon approval and signing of the partnership agreement.
6. The people-to-people cooperation in our regions will be strengthened through this
collaboration. This is particularly important in a very turbulent time in Europe and the rest of the
world
