Sigurður K. Guðmundsson, Model in Adult Learning 2024

We are delighted to announce that today, Sigurður K. Guðmundsson received the Adult Learning Role Model 2024 award from the Training and Development Centre. Sigurður undertook a professional qualification in retail and service after taking a skills assessment at Mímir. The award was presented at the annual conference of the Training Centre for the Business Sector, which took place today, 13 November, at the Grand Hotel. The award is given to individuals who have progressed in their careers or otherwise strengthened their position after using one or more of the tools of further education.

About Sigurður

Sigurður is forty years old and has worked for Krónan for the last 20 years. He began his further education immediately after finishing primary school at the Reykjavík Technical School, where he enrolled on the computer science course. The course went well at first, but he soon lost interest and dropped out a year later. As a result, he concluded that further education was not for him and decided to enter the job market.

Last year, Sigurður was introduced to the Recognition of Prior Learning assessment in retail and service at Krónan. He subsequently decided to undertake an RPL assessment with Mímir to have his knowledge in the field officially recognised. He received a certificate in the form of a Professional Certificate, which confirmed specialised knowledge that is very useful in his job. In addition to the Professional Certificate, Sigurður had 30 credits from the competency assessment credited, and when he saw how many credits he had received, he was inspired to take his studies further.

Sigurður therefore decided to enrol in the distance learning programme in Business and Service Studies at the Icelandic Business School. He had tried distance learning before, but it hadn't suited him and had generated little interest. This time, however, he had a clear goal. With determination and ambition, he graduated in the spring of 2024 and is now considering completing his A-levels at the Icelandic Business School, building on the foundation he has created with the validation of his prior learning and the Diploma in Business and Service.

An opportunity to study again

Sigurður showed courage and determination when he decided to take the step and enrol in a skills assessment with Mímir Lifelong Learning. His story reflects the experience of many adults who use the tools of further education to overcome barriers to learning. Although their stories are unique, they share the common theme of highlighting the importance of adults having the opportunity to return to learning with the right support, even after a long break from education.

We at Mímir sincerely congratulate Sigurður on the recognition and wish him all the best.