Cleaning Firm Named Education Company of the Year

AÞ-Þrif has been named one of three finalists for Education Company of the Year 2026 by the Confederation of Icelandic Employers. The cleaning company began operations in 2006 and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. AÞ-Þrif provides comprehensive cleaning services for businesses, institutions, and individuals. The company employs approximately 230 people and has established itself as one of the strongest cleaning service providers in Iceland. Dagbjört Una Helgadóttir, Human Resources Director at AÞ-Þrif, expressed pride in the nomination. She stated that the company has deliberately focused on education in recent years. "We are so proud of this achievement that we have worked toward purposefully in recent years," she said. "We see this as proof that education is an investment in people and delivers direct operational benefits." In early 2024, AÞ-Þrif shifted its approach to education. The company expanded its human resources department and placed strong emphasis on educational matters. Most of the company’s middle managers are internal hires with solid practical knowledge of cleaning operations. To support their professional development, AÞ-Þrif collaborated with Bifröst University to create a specialized Service Management School. This program is the first in Iceland designed specifically for this group of service workers. Such employees are common across many service companies in Iceland. The new educational pathway could benefit a substantial portion of the Icelandic labor market in the future.