Rikke Sivertsen Dahl is the new general manager at Campus BLÅ

Rikke Sivertsen Dahl from Trondheim has been appointed general manager of Campus BLÅ at Toft, while the outgoing general manager will continue in the school group as a senior advisor.

- "We have now completed an extensive recruitment process with many good and qualified applicants for the position of CEO of the Campus BLÅ school group. The process was already started last year when the current CEO Robert Jørgensen announced that he wanted to step down," says Frode Blakstad, Chairman of the Board of Campus BLÅ.

Going from Aktimed Norway to Campus BLUE

Sivertsen Dahl comes from the position of Executive Vice President of Aktimed Norway, which offers occupational health services. She has built up the company from 30 employees and a turnover of NOK 27 million to 300 employees and NOK 300 million in turnover.

- "Rikke's experience and expertise in growth and development are important for Campus BLÅ's ambitious growth and development of educational programmes within the blue industries. We are very pleased that Rikke has agreed to join the team," says the chairman.

Sivertsen Dahl has extensive management experience from the health sector, the university sector and within HR. She will start in the autumn.

- "I'm really looking forward to embarking on this exciting and forward-looking job together with the team at Campus BLÅ. What has been built up so far is impressive, and I look forward to helping to build on the strong platform that has already been established," says Sivertsen Dahl.

A stalwart steps down as boss but continues as senior advisor

Robert Jørgensen, who is now the outgoing general manager and has built up the BLUE school business from the start, will continue in the Group as a senior adviser. In just a few years, the school has built up a wide range of marine and maritime programmes and has had zero drop-outs in its first four years of operation, as well as high application numbers, especially from girls.

- Without Robert, there would be no school programme at Toft and Leknes. He is a pillar of our organisation. We are grateful for the work he has done and for his great commitment and capacity. We are delighted that he has chosen to continue his journey with us," says Blakstad.

A private vocational VGS alternative

The school has recently received a lot of local and national attention in connection with changes to the Independent Schools Act and has been held up as a national example of how private vocational education helps to train qualified labour for aquaculture and fisheries.

- We are very pleased that the politicians have listened to us and others who have fought for our programme to continue. The Storting has now recognised that our role in education is important and welcome. This provides motivation to continue the work we do at Campus BLÅ," says Robert Jørgensen.

Blakstad emphasises that the board is very pleased that Jørgensen will continue to contribute his capacity as one of the leading players in vocational training and vocational schools in Norway. In total, he has built up 16 schools in his career.

- We are now gearing up the establishment of Campus BLÅ Folkehøgskole and hope we can get the political go-ahead in next year's state budget, so that more young people can get a taste of Helgeland and the exciting industries we have along our coast," concludes Blakstad.