Denmark: special law, language support and guidelines on VET for Ukrainian refugees

A special law on the reception of Ukrainian refugees in Denmark was adopted in March 2022.

The coordination of support initiatives for Ukrainian refugees in Denmark is a joint responsibility of several ministries. With the approval of the law on temporary residence permits for persons displaced from Ukraine (and three related laws), Denmark's municipalities are assigned with an important and demanding task, namely the reception of displaced children and young people. The law makes it possible for displaced persons from Ukraine to obtain a temporary residence permit within a short time after arriving in Denmark. Another crucial aspect is that young Ukrainian refugees entering the country be admitted to school and leisure activities as soon as possible to become part of the Danish society.

Until May 2022, the cases of around 14 000 Ukrainian refugees of all ages were examined further regarding their residence permit, and were distributed to Danish municipalities. On average, there are about 140 Ukrainian refugees of all ages per municipality, of whom only a very small number is expected to enrol in vocational training, according to the special law. Their integration should therefore be re-examined in relation to other initiatives linked to primary, lower secondary and ​​higher education. Regardless of education level, the most important aim is for young Ukrainian refugees to be admitted to education or be able to enter the Danish labour market, within a short time after their arrival.

Ukrainian young people offered language support in Denmark

According to the special law, young Ukrainians are entitled to school admission in the district where they live. As newly arrived young refugees (pupils/students) are often presumed to need language support (learning Danish as a second language), the municipalities may at the time of admission allocate these young people to a school other than the district school for pedagogical reasons. This is assessed based on a thorough individual evaluation of each student's linguistic needs.

It is also possible for the municipality to enter into an agreement according to which Ukrainian refugees will be taught Danish as a second language in the framework of labour market education (CVET) or the Basic Integration Training Programme (IGU).

Upon admission, the head of the school decides whether a Ukrainian pupil with a residence permit under the special law needs language support for Danish as a second language, and if so, on the appropriate teaching method for each pupil. Newly arrived pupils who cannot participate in regular classes due to language reasons must be offered upon admission basic lessons in Danish as a second language.

Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Integration Mattias Tesfaye commented: ‘We are facing one of the biggest refugee crises on the European continent since World War II. When there is war in Denmark's immediate area, we obviously have a great responsibility to help. That is why, together with the social partners, we have discussed how we can help the Ukrainians into the working community as soon as possible. In recent years, many companies and Syrian refugees have used the IGU scheme, which ensures 2 years of work and education. Now we have also agreed to open education up to the Ukrainians who can receive a residence permit under the special law. I think that is good.’

Guide to VET for Ukrainian refugees

The Ministry of Education and Research in Denmark has prepared a guide for Ukrainian refugees who want to continue their education in VET. It is up to vocational colleges to decide whether the refugees can be admitted based on their qualifications from their home country. Once they have been admitted, they can either start with the basic VET course or an internship.

If Ukrainian refugees are ready to apply for admission to a particular VET programme, they can contact their preferred vocational college directly. Ukrainian refugees are advised to confirm with a guidance counsellor at the vocational college whether they fulfil the entry requirements or need supplementary courses, as well as about the possibility of credit transfers. They may enrol in the basic course at a vocational college or start with on-the-job training in an enterprise if they have signed a training agreement with the enterprise.

The Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science offers the possibility of an overall assessment of the non-Danish qualifications level of Ukrainian refugees.

For Ukrainian refugees aged 25 or older, VET for Adults (EUV) is their path to a vocational qualification. Providing the same skills as VET for young people, this programme takes as its starting point the education and experience they already possess as adults.

Based on an individual assessment of competence lasting from half a day to 5 days, Ukrainian refugees are placed in the type of programme suited to their profile:

EUV 1: if they have at least 2 years of relevant work experience: no basic course, a shorter main course and no on-the-job training;

EUV 2: if they have relevant work experience or previous education and training: a basic course of up to 20 weeks and a main course with reduced periods in a school;

EUV 3: if they have neither relevant work experience nor previous education: a programme corresponding to VET for young people.

The proper reception of Ukrainian refugees in Denmark is progressing rapidly and further initiatives will be taken in the coming months.

Read more

• Law on Temporary Residence Permits for Persons Displaced from Ukraine
• The Ministry of Higher Education and Science: Refugees from Ukraine – Welcome!
• The Ministry of Higher Education and Science: Admission to VET
• Ministry of Employment: New political agreement secures entrance of Ukrainian refugees to the IGU Education
• Ministry of Education: Q&A about Ukrainian refugees
• Ministry of Education: news with focus on Ukraine.