Reference year 2026
Version 2026
Drafted by Henrik Hersom, Associate professor, PhD, University College Copenhagen. The National Centre for Vocational Research and Development, Denmark - Member of Cedefop Community of apprenticeship experts for Denmark
The VET Law stipulates that IVET in Denmark is alternance-based and takes place in schools and enterprises.
There is only one apprenticeship system. It has its roots back to the guilds in medieval times and has always been the dominant form of IVET.
The apprenticeship system has been the subject of discussions in recent years to regulate e.g. access and quality but has retained its fundamental characteristics.
The VET Law (paragraph 2) defines VET in Denmark as alternance-based, consisting of periods in school and in placements in enterprises. Details about curriculum, duration, remuneration etc. are decided for each programme by the social partners in the so-called trade committees.
All IVET programmes (EQF level 3-4) are carried out as apprenticeship (lærlingeuddannelser) in upper secondary education.
A. Mainstream apprenticeship starts with a foundation period at a VET school, after which a specific programme is decided, and an apprenticeship contract is signed with an enterprise.
Apprenticeships lead to a journeyman’s qualification. Students who are not able to secure an apprenticeship contract with an enterprise may be trained instead in the so-called “placements centres” which are attached to their vocational school. For some learners, practical training may also be undertaken partly or entirely in FGU: The program for young people under 25 who are not ready for a regular youth education is now consolidated into FGU schools.
B. There are two variations besides mainstream apprenticeships:
1. Programme EUX: since 2011, for several professions, it has been possible to take an apprenticeship programme which confers both the usual journeyman’s qualification (as above) and qualifications from upper secondary general education that allows access to higher education (EUX). This variety of mainstream apprenticeships is of a slightly longer duration due to extended school periods.
2. ‘New master apprenticeship programme’ Ny mesterlære': apprentices who already from the beginning have a clear idea of what they want, may choose to sign an apprenticeship directly with an enterprise rather than starting with a foundation period at a VET school. They thus start training with an enterprise immediately and in a specific programme. After a year in the enterprise, they are assessed to check if they have the required level of knowledge, skills and competences, and they continue their programme alongside mainstream apprentices.
Cedefop’s VET in Europe database provides additional information on the national VET system and the position of apprenticeships within it: https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/vet-in-europe/systems/
Since medieval times, apprenticeships have been the dominant form of VET. In 1956, most VET programmes became alternance-based, with periods of school based and periods of work-based training.
Basic vocational training (Erhvervsgrunduddannelse/EGU) is a lower-secondary scheme for young people who are not able to enter mainstream VET (i.e. apprenticeship) via other lower secondary programmes. It is alternance-based and lasts for two years. It uses work placements that are remunerated, but EGU confers no formal qualifications on the participants.
Other types of workplace training are used in higher VET programmes (academy professions programmes, KVU, EQF level 4-5: one or two semesters in a company) and in Vocational bachelor programmes (EQF level 4-6: two to four periods in a company). In these programmes, most students go to different workplaces during their education.