Today, Guri Kunna Upper Secondary School, represented by Principal Espen Arntsberg, and Måsøval, represented by CEO Asle Rønning, signed the agreement to operate the teaching permit for salmonid farming that the county municipality currently holds.‍

The teaching concession was advertised earlier this winter, and Måsøval was ultimately awarded the task of operating it. Guri Kunna Upper Secondary School is very pleased to have entered into an agreement with Måsøval regarding cooperation on education for the aquaculture industry and the operational management of the school’s applied-for teaching permit for 10 years from April 2021.

– The school already has a very good collaboration with Måsøval and looks forward to developing this further, says Principal Espen Arntsberg.

– The agreement not only includes obligations to operate the concession but also to be an active participant in the development of the school’s study programs. Måsøval looks forward to closer cooperation with the school, says CEO Asle Rønning.

The permit has been leased to Salmar, Mowi, and Lerøy, and has been important for developing the school and its educational offerings in aquaculture. The agreement has fostered excellent cooperation between the school and the industry regarding the planning and implementation of teaching at various locations, and in the school’s role as a local educational provider contributing to the development of the local aquaculture industry, says Principal Espen Arntsberg. Although the school/county municipality has now entered into an agreement with Måsøval, it has also been agreed that the strong collaboration developed with Salmar, Mowi, Lerøy, and other local aquaculture companies will continue even though Måsøval is now taking over as the agreement partner.

– Måsøval already has a good collaboration with the school, for instance, by offering employees the opportunity to obtain trade certificates. This has been a boost for the company and has provided us with opportunities to further develop educational programs that the aquaculture industry needs. We are also fortunate to have the school as our closest neighbor; both our administration and an aquaculture facility are just a ‘stone’s throw’ away, says Asle Rønning.

– The rental income from this agreement will be used to establish an educational fund. The purpose of the fund will be to co-finance, in whole or in part, educational activities or other projects that the school alone or together with the fish farmers wishes to implement. The funds will provide increased scope to ensure high quality in the school’s educational programs relevant to the aquaculture industry.
Furthermore, we will contribute to good cooperation with vocational colleges, university colleges, and universities with the aim of offering relevant educational programs locally in the island region. This also includes expanding marketing and incentive measures for university college and university education relevant to the aquaculture industry throughout the students’ time at the school, says Espen Arntsberg.

One of the most important contributions of the agreement is to strengthen the collaboration between industry and school, ensuring alignment between the industry’s needs and current teaching methods.

– It is important that the agreement contributes to sufficient recruitment of applicants for relevant educational programs for the aquaculture industry now and in the future, says Asle Rønning.