The path to journeyman certificate: basic course, main course and journeyman exam
How you construct something from drawings
Metal worker is a classic alternating education: you alternate between school periods where you learn theory and basic techniques and practical training in a company where you use them on real tasks. The education is under the Metal Industry's Training Committee and takes a total of around 4-4½ years depending on speciality and prerequisites. At the end, you take a journeyman's examination that gives you the journeyman's certificate — proof that you are a qualified metal worker.
§The basic course
The education begins with a basic course at school where you learn the basic skills and material knowledge the trade is built on: measuring filing drilling bending soldering and working safely in the workshop. If you come directly from 9th or 10th grade you typically start on the broad basic course 1; if you have occupational experience or are older you can start on basic course 2 which is more targeted to the trade.
§The main course and the apprenticeship
Efter grundforløbet fortsætter du på hovedforløbet, der veksler mellem skoleophold og praktik. Det kræver, at du har indgået en uddannelsesaftale med en virksomhed — en læreplads. Under hele forløbet er du elev og får elevløn efter overenskomsten. Fordi metalsmedefagene er små med relativt få lærepladser om året, er det en god idé at være tidligt ude og opsøgende, når du leder efter en aftale.
§The journeyman's exam
The education ends with a journeyman test where you independently solve a professional task within your speciality and demonstrate that you master the trade's techniques materials and quality requirements. The test is assessed by professional assessors and a passed journeyman test results in a journeyman certificate. For many the masterpiece is also an opportunity to show their best craftsmanship — a work you are proud to put your name to.
| Phase | Content | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Basic course | Basic techniques, materials science, safety | School |
| Main course | The craft's techniques, specialization | School + apprenticeship |
| Apprenticeship | Right tasks, apprentice wages | Company |
| Journeyman's exam | Self-employed specialist assignment assessment | School/test site |
Good to know before you apply
- 01The trades are small—start looking for an apprenticeship early
- 02You receive apprentice pay throughout the main course
- 03Choose specialty based on what interests you most
- 04The school and the professional committee can advise on apprenticeships
- 05Your journeyman certificate opens both for jobs and for further education via vocational courses
“Your journeyman certificate is not a finish line, but a starting line — the rest you learn at the bench.”