- 2021Approved/Agreed
- 2022Implementation
- 2023Implementation
- 2024Implementation
Background
Danish VET students have multiple opportunities to go abroad during their education either during school or training periods via, e.g., the ERASMUS+ scheme or the Training abroad scheme (OPU).
In 1992, the Work placement abroad scheme (PIU) was introduced, enabling students in VET to complete part or all of their training abroad. At the same time, funds were made available through the Employers' Reimbursement System (AUB) to finance the costs incurred by the individual trainee during this transnational experience. The ERASMUS+ programme has long been available for VET students to engage in for shorter periods. These international experiences offer students and trainees valuable experience and skills that the trainee/apprentice can use to apply for training places and jobs in Denmark and abroad.
Since then, students and trainees have every year availed themselves of this opportunity, however, the number is rather low. Annually, around 1 500 students go abroad with ERASMUS+ funding (predominantly from the basic programme), while 1 300-1 400 trainees do a traineeship during the main programme with financial support from the Employers' Reimbursement System (AUB).
Objectives
The purpose of the national Training abroad scheme and the Erasmus+ programme is to facilitate access for students to foreign internships, to internationalise vocational education and to equip companies for global competition.
- the student acquires international competencies, not least cultural understanding and language skills;
- the student develops maturity and independence;
- the student acquires experiences with work tools, methods and workplace culture in other countries;
- in seasonal businesses, internships abroad can help to secure students' tasks during periods when there is less work in Denmark;
- offers of internships abroad make the apprenticeship attractive.
Description
The Training abroad scheme(OPU) is a Danish mobility programme that allows students in Danish VET to gain international experience by completing training periods abroad after finishing their basic course. The trainee/apprentice can spend all or part of their training abroad. The scheme is funded by AUB, the Employers' Reimbursement System (Arbejdsgivernes Uddannelsesbidrag). Depending on whether the trainee has a Danish apprenticeship or not either the Danish employer or the trainee/apprentice receives financial support for the stay abroad.
There are no nationally managed activities for this programme, aside from annual meetings of VET institutions organised by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science, which oversees the Training abroad scheme (and Erasmus+).
During school periods, VET students can participate in Erasmus+ activities funded by the European Commission but administered by the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science and organised by local VET schools. The purpose of such shorter types of mobility is likewise to contribute to students' global mindset, intercultural competencies, and knowledge of European job opportunities.
Local schools have OPU counsellors who can help regardless of which type of international stay the trainee is going on (Training abroad or Erasmus+).
In 2021, the Work placement abroad (PIU, Praktik I udlandet) scheme changed its name to Training abroad (OPU) scheme. The PIU-a scheme, with long history in Denmark, was a Danish mobility programme for students who attended a vocational education programme and have passed the vocational basic course. The scheme enabled students to take a part of their work placement abroad as a part of their Danish education.
The programmes were still running.
The Erasmus+ programme and the Training abroad scheme were operational and ran as regular practice.
The Erasmus+ programme and the Training abroad scheme were operational and ran as regular practice.
Additionally, as part of the comprehensive reform of the Danish education system set out in the coherent plan for education announced in 2024, the government works to make VET more attractive. One of the announced initiatives, the initiative More skilled workers for the green transition aims to strengthen the possibilities for mobility and international collaborations in VET. The government also announced, that it will work to increase the share of the budget for VET in the negotiation of the new Erasmus+ programme for 2028-34.
Bodies responsible
- Ministry of Higher Education and Science
- European Commission
Target groups
Learners
- Learners in upper secondary, including apprentices
- Adult learners
Thematic categories
European and international dimensions of VET
This thematic category covers both European and international cooperation in initial and continuing VET, aimed at promoting EU VET systems as a European education and training area and making it a reference for learners in neighbouring countries and across the globe.
Expanding opportunities and increasing participation of VET learners, young and adult, and staff in international mobility for learning and work, including apprenticeship and virtual and blended mobility, account for most initiatives in this thematic category.
Apart from established and financially supported EU cooperation, VET opens up to cooperation and promotion of European values and national practices beyond the EU, which is becoming a trend. This thematic category also encompasses internationalisation strategies, transnational cooperation projects and initiatives – including those where joint VET programmes, examinations and qualifications are developed – and participation in international skills competitions that promote the image of VET. Using international qualifications – awarded by legally established international bodies or by a national body acting on behalf of an international body – in the national VET systems and recognising them towards national qualifications is also in focus.
This thematic sub-category refers to providing opportunities for, implementing and increasing rates of, learning mobility of VET and adult learners and staff, including virtual mobility, apprenticeship placements, long-duration mobility and mobility to third countries, in line with national regulations, collective agreements and health and safety provisions. It also includes the provision of information about mobility, support structures and tools, strengthening the quality of mobility experiences and recognition of learning outcomes acquired abroad, including with the use of relevant EU tools, e.g. memoranda of understanding or learning agreements (ECVET elements).
European priorities in VET
Osnabrück Declaration
- European Education and Training Area and international VET
Subsystem
Further reading
Country
Type of development
Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Training abroad and Erasmus+ activities: Denmark. In Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Timeline of VET policies in Europe (2024 update) [Online tool].
https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/timeline-vet-policies-europe/search/43068