Knowledge centres are being appointed to help educate students in vocational education and training (VET) to handle technological development and match the competences that companies demand in a digital labour market. The centres will also support other VET schools in their work on the digitalisation of education, resulting from new technologies, and in developing and testing new teaching and training methods that all VET schools can use in their work with talents and educational development.

The goal of the centres is to become professional lighthouses that ensure VET keeps up with developments in the labour market.

A total of Danish Kroner 133 million (Euro 18 million) has been earmarked for the establishment and development of up to 10 knowledge centres during 2017–20. Another Danish Kroner 80 million (Euro 4 million) has been allocated for special equipment improvements.

Nine knowledge centres are being established around following subject areas:

  • automation and robotics (two centres)
  • welfare technology (two centres)
  • process technology
  • crafts – design and architecture
  • crafts – sustainability, climate renovation and construction
  • digital trade
  • database service and business development

The knowledge centres are based in VET schools and are distributed geographically across the country.

The school board must ensure strategic use of the funds for quality development (talents and higher levels in VET programmes) within the agreed objectives of the Ministry of Children, Teaching and Gender Equality, by reporting what interventions the allocated funds have supported. This to ensure that the funds are used for agreed strategic purposes.