Image / education instructors Ársól, Bergur Ari, Hrafnhildur Anna, and Lotta Lóa.
The first Reykjavík School of Work students report for duty on Monday, June 10. The program is highly popular this year, with over 3,400 students set to work this summer.
The main role of the School of Work is to provide students from the upper grades of primary school with constructive summer jobs and education in a safe work environment. All students in grades 8, 9, and 10 can work on a wide range of assignments in Reykjavík, mostly involving gardening and maintenance.
Extensive preparations underway
The School of Work office has been assigning groups for the coming summer. Students can expect job confirmation this week. Students are grouped by their age and place of residence. This summer's work spans three sessions: June 10 to July 1, July 2 to July 22, and July 23 to Aug. 13.
- Eighth-grade students work 3.5 hours daily, either in the morning or afternoon.
- Ninth- and 10th-grade students work seven hours a day.
We have workplaces at most of Reykjavík’s primary schools, so many students are put in the group at the closest school to where they live. Several worksites are located in neighborhoods or public parks throughout the city. The School of Work also partners with preschools, after-school programs, sports clubs, and community organizations to host smaller student groups.
The country's largest employer of youth
Reykjavík's School of Work is the nation's largest employer of youth. Its core mission is providing upper-grade primary school students with meaningful summer work experience and education in a safe environment. The School of Work emphasizes giving students a positive introduction to the job market, covering pay stubs, résumés, workplace ethics, and income tax. The education is tailored to the students' age.
The School of Work is an open-air school, and most of the school's assignments are focused on maintaining greenery and garden beds around Reykjavík.
Summer 2024 applications exceeded expectations, making it impossible to accommodate every session or worksite preference. Everyone registering for the School of Work receives a position, and staff make every effort to accommodate student and parent preferences.
Instructor education program
The School of Work hired 65 instructors this year.
Students receive thorough training before beginning work. Topics include multiculturalism, peer education, violence prevention, and gardening, alongside courses in first aid and LGBT+ education. They also receive safety training and participate in team building activities and games.