How you don't forget the patient as a person
Basic course, main course and alternation between school and practice
Introduction
When you want to be an industrial operator you don't just go to school several straight years. The education is a vocational education where you alternate between going to vocational school and apprenticing out in a production company. Here you get an overview of how the course fits together so you know what you're going into before you apply.
The three stages
The education falls into three parts: basic course part 1 basic course part 2 and the main course. The basic course takes place at vocational school while the main course alternates between practice at a company and shorter school stays. How long the whole thing takes depends on whether you are satisfied with the first tier or build the speciality in productivity on top.
| Stage | Where | Approximate duration | What's happening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic course 1 | Vocational school | A half year | Broad intro course to the main area technology, construction and transport — for you coming directly from 9th or 10th grade |
| Basic course 2 | Vocational school | A half year | Targeted trade with natural sciences, technology, automation and a final exam giving access to main course |
| Main course | Company + school | The rest of the course | Apprenticeship in a manufacturing company interrupted by school periods, concluded with journeyman exam |
Two steps — and thus two lengths
You can finish as an industrial operator at the first level, or you can continue and take the specialty in productivity (level 2), which builds on top of it. Therefore, the EducationGuide specifies the total duration as a range: from approximately 2½ years to 3 years and 2 months. If you choose the specialty, additional school weeks and practical time are added.
Entry requirements and admission
To be admitted, you normally need to have passed the primary school leaving examination with at least an average of 2.0 in both Danish and mathematics. You apply via optagelse.dk. If you don't have the grades, an entrance exam and an interview at school may be a way in — ask the study guidance counselor at the vocational school you want to apply to.
- 01Passed primary school exit exam with minimum 2.0 in Danish and mathematics
- 02Application via optagelse.dk
- 03Alternative route via entrance exam and interview if the grade requirement is not met
What if you don't find an apprenticeship position?
The main course requires that you have a training agreement with a company. If you don't find an apprenticeship right away, you can proceed in school-based training at a school-based training centre, where you practise the same competencies you would otherwise gain at the company, while you continue searching.
Are you an adult?
If you are over 25, the education can be arranged as a vocational education for adults (euv). Here your work experience counts, so the course can be shorter and more targeted. Contact a vocational school that offers the trade and have a concrete assessment of your specific situation made.
“You do not just go to school — you are part of a production company from the moment your training agreement takes effect.”