How you diagnose problems — systematically
From basic course to finished service assistant
Introduction
If you want to be a service assistant, you go a path that alternates between school bench and real workplace. Like most vocational educations, it is divided into a basic course and a main course, and most of the time in the main course takes place with an employer. Here you get a complete picture of how the course fits together and what you should pay attention to along the way.
Basic course 1 and 2
If you come more or less directly from primary school, you typically start on basic course 1. It is a broad introduction to the main area where you sniff at the trade and find out if the direction suits you. Then comes basic course 2, which is aimed at the service assistant trade itself. Here you work with the basic subject and service competencies and prepare for the main course. If you are older or come with work experience, you can often begin directly on basic course 2.
Main course — school and training alternate
The main course is the core of the training. Here you are an apprentice at a company and learn the trade in practice, interrupted by shorter school periods, where you catch up on theory and broader professional competence. It is this alternation between doing real work and going to school that makes a vocational training something special: you test immediately what you learn, and bring questions from everyday back to teaching.
Two stages — three specialisations
The main course has two stages. Stage 1 is the cleaning technician specialisation, which everyone takes and which you can finish the programme with. Stage 1 gives access to stage 2, where you choose hospital service or company service (BEK no. 192/2026 § 1). How far you go determines both the length of the programme and which tasks you really get good at.
- 01Stage 1: Cleaning technician — professional cleaning with method, machines and quality management
- 02Stage 2: Hospital service — service and hygiene in the health service with close patient contact
- 03Stage 2: Company service — broad service in workplaces: cleaning, catering and practical support
How long does it take?
The programme lasts 2 years to 2 years and 6 months when the two parts of the basic course of 20 weeks each are included. The main course at stage 1 lasts 1 year with 12 school weeks (11 for adults on EUV); stage 2 lasts a further 6 months, again with 12 school weeks (11 on EUV) (BEK no. 192/2026 § 2). If you have relevant experience or previous schooling, the programme can be shortened with credit, and adults can take the programme as EUV.
| Step | What's happening | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Basic course 1 | Broad introduction to the main area | School |
| Basic course 2 | Targeted service assistant trade | School |
| Main course stage 1 | Cleaning technician: 1 year, of which 12 school weeks | Company + school |
| Main course stage 2 | Hospital or company service: 6 more months, of which 12 school weeks | Company + school |
Admission and access requirements
To begin a vocational education you must as a rule have passed elementary school's final exam and meet a grade requirement in Danish and math. If you don't come directly from elementary school or are missing the grades there are other ways in — for example via an admission conversation or admission process. You apply via the common application system and there is an application deadline in spring for study start after summer vacation.
“The best thing about a vocational education is that you learn the trade where it is actually used.”
— Professional point