38 young people are now gathered in Kangerlussuaq. During the next six months, their mental and physical abilities will be tested during the training.
Kangerlussuaq is currently not missing young people who are interested in getting an education. The third batch of the Arctic Basic Training since the start-up in 2024 has just begun. This is what the Norwegian Defense Ministry writes on its website.
The Chief of Defense assesses the training as a success.
– I am really happy that the Arctic Basic Training is a success, because it gives young Greenlanders the opportunity to further their education, which in the long run can lead to employment in the Defense Forces in Greenland, says Michael W. Hyldgaard.
Former students well underway
The training lasts six months. It opens up more opportunities for higher education. The opportunities for further training can be used, among other things, within the Armed Forces, the police or training related to preparedness.
– Former students have, for example, been admitted to the police academy, the fire service and the correctional facility in Greenland, and several are also in the process of further education and careers in the Armed Forces. The ambition is for the students to contribute to the resilience of Greenland, and there are good examples of that, says the head of Arctic Basic Education, Mathias la Cour Vågen.
Sermitsiaq wanted to interview some of the students, but it was not possible until week 35, was the answer from there. The reason was that the Armed Forces have decided that the students must focus on their education in the first term.
In the history of the Armed Forces, however, you can read that a student, who is not mentioned by name, was excited the day before starting.
– I didn’t sleep last night, the student is quoted as saying.
The course has space for 50 students. 38 began. However, there is a natural explanation, the Defense tells Sermitsiaq:
– 50 students have been offered admission to Arctic Basic Education’s class three. 46 agreed. But in the period from the offer of admission to the start-up, several have unfortunately dropped out. There were 105 applicants for Arctic Basic Education’s team three.
– Arctic Command will henceforth work to reduce dropouts in the period before the start-up, writes Arctic Command.
