How you conduct inspections and document findings
From basic course to finished airport operator — step by step
If you dream of working on the apron of an airport — with planes, baggage, cargo or rescue equipment — the way goes through airport education. It leads to the title airport operator, and although it takes place in one of the country's most special work environments, it is structured like most other vocational educations: a basic course at school, followed by a main course where you alternate between school and a real workplace.
§The basic course — the first two half-years
The basic course is divided into two parts, each typically lasting about half a year. Basic course 1 is for you coming more or less directly from primary school, and here you spend time finding out which direction you want. Basic course 2 is targeted at the trade itself and prepares you to start the main course.
If you come later in life — or already have work experience — you can often start further ahead in the course. The rules for what can be credited depend on your background, so it's worth talking to the study counselor at the school before you plan.
§Main course — where you become an operator
When the basic program is completed and you have an apprenticeship placement, the main program begins. It's the long and critical part of the training. You're employed at a company—it could be a handling company, a freight firm, or another airport operator—and you alternate between being at the workplace and being at school for vocational school stays. The main program is structured in several school periods (often described as main program 1, 2, and 3), and teaching alternates throughout between theory and practice.
| Part 1 · The trunk | Where | What's happening |
|---|---|---|
| Basic course 1 | Vocational school | Broad intro course; you clarify your choice of education |
| Basic course 2 | Vocational school | Trade-targeted — get ready for the main program. |
| Main course | Company + school | You are employed as an apprentice and alternate between practical training and school |
§How long is it?
The total length depends on which specialty you choose and your background. Officially the qualification runs from around three and a half years up to well over five years. The large variation is partly because whether you take the full basic course and which specialty you end up in.
§Admission and access requirements
You apply via Optagelse.dk. To be admitted you must normally have passed the primary school final exam and meet a grade requirement in Danish and mathematics. The rules are the same as for vocational educations in general, so if you don't meet the requirement, there are alternative routes — for example an entrance exam and an interview at the school.
The most important advice is to start looking for an apprenticeship position early. The number of positions in the airport industry is limited compared to many other trades and an agreement with an employer makes the whole way much more straightforward.