Norrbotten’s first certified restaurant and food training

Björknäsgymnasiet’s restaurant and food program in Boden has been the first upper secondary school in Norrbotten to undergo and pass the industry organization Visitas “Certified Education”. The process is based on a quality assurance model that is based on close cooperation with the hospitality industry to ensure that students learn current and in-demand knowledge and skills.

The certification ceremony was attended by representatives from Björknäsgymnasiet’s restaurant and food program, local hospitality entrepreneurs, politicians and officials at the municipality of Boden, the local and regional hospitality organization, press and Visita regionally and nationally.

Some voices at the certification ceremony:

“The demand for employees in Norrbotten’s tourism industry is high. It is important that there are attractive and quality-assured upper secondary education programs that can offer the best opportunities for students’ development and career opportunities.”

Annika Fredriksson, CEO, Swedish Lapland Visitors Board.

“The process is important in itself, it’s easy to just get on with it. Now we have received a receipt for the work we have done together with the industry. The work doesn’t end here, there are good opportunities to get even better. We know that hard work pays off and strengthens the attraction. Together we can help open the eyes of parents to this career choice”

Kenneth Winblad von Valter, vocational teacher.

“The certification process has given us the tools to analyze ourselves in a different way and together we have developed a common set of values for our collaboration. It is gratifying that the pupils now want to wear their own profile clothes to show that they attend this school.”

Åsa Lundgren, Principal of Björknäsgymnasiet.

“If there is no vibrant and attractive tourism industry, people will not want to move to Norrbotten. The industry provides services and offers that meet people’s social needs. We also see how young people’s views on their future careers and career choices are changing. This creates opportunities for employers in the hospitality industry.”

Linda Frohm, Chairman of Visita Norrland.

“It is important that we in the industry receive trainees in close cooperation with the school. This ensures that all of us entrepreneurs have the opportunity to recruit competent employees in the future.”

Rikard Mattsson, tourism entrepreneur, Boden.

“Attractive and industry-related vocational training is crucial for Norrbotten’s sustainable development. Challenges with skills supply are common to all the county’s municipalities and here we can certainly do more together to get our young people to see their future in their hometown.”

Oskar Hederyd, Business Developer, Swedish Lapland Visitors Board.

“I would like to highlight the dedication, student vision and competence of the high school program. I am proud to be a part of this and congratulate the young people who attend the program. We in the school need to work more with study and career guidance as we need more people to choose this career path.”

Patrik Björklund, Head of Upper Secondary School, Municipality of Boden.

The core values of the restaurant and food program:

Together. Our strength and success lies in a collegial and inclusive approach where we find drive, seek solutions and new paths by being and working together. The togetherness and dynamism of what we do collectively strengthens what we convey. Together, we are proud and feel confident in our work and on the way forward.

Courage. Daring to succeed and sometimes fail requires courage. Courage also makes us think bigger, outside all possible and unthinkable boxes and see the possible, the innovative in the seemingly impossible or difficult. It gives us the power to change. Courage energizes us, inspires us and is something we pass on to our students.

Quality. We are good at what we do but always strive to be better. Quality is found in the big picture as well as in the very simple everyday things. With our collective expertise, we will give our students the best possible conditions for becoming good citizens. It is about a clear and highly conscious approach where we have an opportunity to do something good.

In the case of work-based learning (traineeships) carried out at one or more workplaces outside the school with the aim of ensuring that the pupil is well prepared for his or her professional field, bullying, sexual harassment or discrimination are not accepted. The parties work towards a good and equal working environment.

More information:

Åsa Lundgren, Principal Björknäsgymnasiet, asa.lundgren@boden.se