Features | 22.06.2023 | 3 min read
From left: Johan Söderström, Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa, Hitachi Energy, Tobias Hansson, Country Managing Director, Hitachi Energy in Sweden, Christer Nordström, Chairman of the school group, Inga Näslund CEO of the school group, Fredrik Svensson, owner of the school group and Malin Estelli, Country Communications Manager, Hitachi Energy in Sweden.
The collaboration between Hitachi Energy and Hitachigymnasiet represents a powerful cooperation in yet another city in Sweden where we are working and advancing a sustainable energy future for all
The established school in Västerås strengthens its cooperation with Hitachi Energy and thus changes its name from ABB-gymnasiet to Hitachigymnasiet. Hitachi Energy recognizes the importance of empowering the next generation with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to address the global energy challenges we face today. Through the collaboration, the school's education will increasingly align with the green transition and development taking place in the world and reinforce the vision - educating for a better world.
The deeper collaboration with Hitachi Energy will give the school's students additional opportunities to gain a broader insight into the business world, more practical experience and short routes to internships, summer jobs and further education in the technology and energy industry. Finally, it aims to provide exciting jobs globally and locally to young talents who are passionate about accelerating the energy transition.
“We would like to thank everyone from the school for the continued collaboration and trust. I am grateful that I have personally been engaged with the school and their fantastic students, personnel and owners for decades. About two years ago, our company invested in Hitachigymnasiet in Ludvika. Now, we are thrilled to extend our support and contribution to the school in Västerås. We are committed to intensifying the collaboration, offering more opportunities like internships, summer work, oversea assignments and thesis work. We firmly believe that the path to a more sustainable future lies in the hands of our youth and our deepened collaboration with Hitachigymnasiet in Västerås and Ludvika underlines our commitment to education and the young generation”, says Johan Söderström, Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa at Hitachi Energy.
The idea of schools collaborating with industry is not new. In 1994, the ABB schools in Ludvika and Västerås started as two of the country's first independent schools, then as now with the aim of meeting increasing demand for specialist skills. The schools later became teacher-owned until 2015. The owner group then sought a long-term future ownership solution and got in touch with Fredrik Svensson, CEO and co-owner of AB Arvid Svensson Invest, who acquired the schools and these are now part of a school group that also includes Vattenfallgymnasiet in Forsmark since 2020 and Mälardalens International School since 2022, an international primary school in Västerås with an IB concept.
"Working with our schools has been new to me and is one of the most fun and important things I have done. It is fantastic to see how our partner companies ABB, Hitachi Energy and Vattenfall have a strong drive to support the development of our schools and our students. When I see the opportunities our young people get and how they grow with the trust they are given, I strongly believe in a sustainable future," says owner Fredrik Svensson.
The name change will take place during fall. Hitachigymnasiet will be located in Ludvika and Västerås. They will fall under the group of schools, closely cooperating with their respective partner companies. The schools share the same fundamental values and work together towards the common vision to educate for a better world.
