To parents

Many education and training opportunities
There are many education and training opportunities open to young people who have completed the Folkeskolen's ninth and tenth forms. Most of them are mentioned in this folder, but only briefly. At the school the educational guidance counsellors can give you more information and advice.

Educational and vocational guidance
All pupils at school are given advice on education and finding work. The purpose of the educational and vocational guidance is to motivate the pupils and help them to choose their further training.
The schools invite parents to help make this choice and to be as well-informed as possible about the guidance offered.
One way in which you as a parent can keep yourself well informed is to read your son's or daughter's Education book. This is a book which the guidance counsellor and the pupil draw up jointly with the pupil's parents. In it the pupil writes down notes and thoughts about his or her own abilities, possibilities and plans for education, jobs and leisure. Read it at home and talk to your son or daughter about what is written in it.

A lot depends on parents
It is very important that you should support your son or daughter in choosing a training or education programme. The more you talk about it, and the more support you give, the better the chances of the training to be completed successfully.

Training and education do not always guarantee a job, but it is hard to find a job without them. Education has a value in itself because it can help to give life a meaning and encourage the young person to become mature and self-confident.

Talk to the educational guidance counsellor about the many opportunities for education which are open to young people.

Margrethe Vestager
Minister of Education

Guidance on education and choice of career

In school
In school guidance is the responsibility of the class teacher and the school's guidance counsellor.
Guidance covers the opportunities which are open for education, training and choice of work. The guidance counsellor can give individual advice and helps the pupil to make out the Education book. In the ninth form this book results in a personal education and training plan for the pupil. After the ninth form the pupil's obligatory education has been completed, which means that the young person is free to choose his/her further education and training.

The education and training plan includes among other things the pupil's and the school's notes about the following:

• wishes for education and training
• work experience periods
• the pupil's own thoughts about what he/she does best or not so well
• bridge building in the tenth form

After the ninth or tenth form without further training
Young people who have left school - private or public authority schools - can ask for guidance from a youth counsellor from the municipal youth advisory service. The guidance offered there is specially intended for young people who have not entered an education or training programme, and who are under nineteen years of age. The youth counsellor can give practical help and advice on how to start on an education or training programme.
Young people and their parents can always visit the municipal youth advisory service when they need advice.
Addresses, telephone numbers and information about the youth advisory service are available at the town hall or from the municipal information service, as well as the help of an interpreter is available if necessary.
You can also ask for advice from the guidance service connected with the youth training or education programme that you need more details about.

Having started an education or training programme after the ninth or tenth form
If the young person has started on an education or training programme, there will be guidance counsellors at the education or training institution who can help, for example with the planning of the young person's further education, advise on optional subjects, educational orientation, further choices and SU (the Danish State Education Grant and Loan Scheme).

Tenth form

The tenth form is intended to help pupils become more mature and improve their abilities in various subjects. In the tenth form pupils improve their qualifications in order to be eligible for a training or education option that suits their own wishes and expectations.

In the tenth form part of the teaching is obligatory and part of it is optional. The obligatory part of the teaching consists of fourteen lessons per week in Danish, Mathematics and English.
In addition to this the pupil is required to choose between a number of non-compulsory and optional subjects. The offers available can vary from school to school.

An important part of the tenth form involves a major assignment, which the pupil is expected to work on independently. The subject of this assignment must be connected with the pupil's plans for future education and training. It gives pupils a chance to test themselves and try out ideas about future jobs and training.

Working jointly with the school and his/her family the pupil works out a plan for education or training in the future. This provides a good foundation for making the right choice after the tenth form.

Teaching in the tenth form can be project-oriented or based on inter-disciplinary themes, or it may include offers of practical training in jobs or bridging schemes and introductory courses to youth education in co-operation with a vocational college, a Gymnasium or similar. These offers are arranged by the schools in collaboration with the pupils, taking into account their plans for the future.

At the end of the tenth form the pupil can take the tenth form examination or the Leaving Examination of the Folkeskole (folkeskolens afgangsprøve).

It is possible to take the tenth form at a Folkeskole, a private basic school (grundskole), a continuation school (efterskole) and certain other boarding schools.

Efterskole - continuation school

Continuation schools are specially intended for pupils aged between fourteen and eighteen, who are taught in classes or groups which correspond to the eighth, ninth and tenth forms in the Folkeskole.
A continuation school is a boarding school where the pupils live at the school. The pupils are always under suitable supervision by the teachers. Many choose a continuation school in order to try to find their own feet and get to know themselves better. As the pupils stay at the school round the clock, the teaching routines are different from those in an ordinary day-school, but in general the subject matter and level are the same.
There are continuation schools throughout the country. Most continuation schools have their own individual profile and specific features which may be connected with certain subjects, principles or practical aspects such as:

• sports and athletics
• nature and the environment
• languages and culture
• music, the theatre and the arts
• housekeeping and nutrition
• special education

Most continuation schools offer preparation for examinations so that the pupils are able to take the Leaving Examination of the Folkeskole (folkeskolens afgangsprøve) and the tenth form examination.

Continuation schools are private schools. Board and tuition must be paid for, but both the state and the municipality provide financial support.

Vocational education and training (erhvervsuddannelse, EUD)

After the ninth or tenth forms young people can begin a vocational education and training (VET) programme, either at a technical college or at a commercial college. Here they will be taught a trade and practical skills.

Most of the VET programmes take three or four years; some are shorter and some are longer.

VET is based on alternating periods of school-based education at the college and practical training in a company.
At the college the student is taught the theory of the trade and several subjects of a more general character.
In the company it is a matter of learning practical skills and routines, and at the end of the training the trainee has to pass a 'journeyman's test' or a similar examination.

After this it is possible to work in the trade or to start further training. A machine technician, for example, can take a series of courses to qualify for training as an engineer.
Many VET courses are a good start for those who wish to become self-employed and run their own business.

Reform from 1 January 2001
On 1 January 2001 new rules will come into effect for the VET courses. This leaflet describes the training courses under the new rules.

There are six basic technical education and training lines, or access routes, which provide basic training in the following areas:

• Technology and communication

• Building and construction

• Crafts and engineering trades

• Food production and catering

• Mechanical engineering, transport and logistics

• Service industries

There is one basic commercial education and training line, offering basic training in:

• The commercial field - trade, office and finance
  (Commercial means anything connected with trade)

Each of these lines, or access routes, consists of a series of basic subjects and main subjects. The basic subjects are broad, introductory courses, and may take between ten and sixty weeks. The length of the basic training depends on the training chosen and the trainee's abilities - and also on how far the trainee wishes to continue with supplementary training.

A trainee may choose, for example, the building and construction line and then via the various basic training options qualify through the main training as a bricklayer.

When a young person has started as a trainee at a vocational college, he or she will be introduced to a contact teacher who will be available to give advice, help and support throughout the training period.
Together with this contact teacher, the trainee will work out an education plan. This plan will be used to describe, build up and plan the complete course of training. The contact teacher and the trainee will review the course of training at intervals and assess whether they should change or adapt the plan to suit the trainee's wishes and abilities.

On all VET programmes it is possible to choose a few single subjects which are oriented towards other study programmes, making it possible to change over to the Gymnasiale uddannelser - general and vocational upper secondary education.

Trainees who are not able to complete their VET programme (erhvervsuddannelse) have the right to a description of the partial skills which they have acquired by following part of the programme. This also applies to trainees who break off the training before they have completed it.

The young people must find a company themselves for the practical training periods. However, the college's educational and vocational guidance counsellors help them to draw up an apprenticeship contract with the company.

If you start your VET in a company, you will receive pay throughout your training. However, an agreement about this must be reached with the employer.
If you start your VET at the vocational college, you will not receive pay until you start a practical training period as part of your main course of training. However, this applies only if you have an agreement about practical training with a company.
If a trainee is unable to reach an agreement with a company, it is also possible, after completing the basic programme, to continue in practical training in a main programme at the vocational college. This specialisation is called college practical training (skolepraktik) and is also paid.

Lines of specialisation in the VET programmes

The technical lines and examples of the certifications they lead to:

• Technology and communication: electrician, technical assistant, graphic artist, bookbinder, data technician

• Building and construction: housepainter, bricklayer, glazier, stonedresser, joiner

• Crafts and engineering trades: blacksmith, mechanic, machine operator, precision mechanic, fine metal worker

• Food production and catering: industrial butcher, waiter, receptionist, cafeteria and canteen assistant, dairy assistant, chef, landscape gardener, forestry assistant

• Mechanical engineering, transport and logistics: driver, stores assistant, rescue-service worker, cycle and motorcycle mechanic, transport worker, motorcar mechanic, motor electrics mechanic, car-body smith

• Service industries: hospital technician, dental clinic assistant, watchmaker, shoemaker, orthopaedist, hairdresser, dental technician

The commercial line and examples of the certifications it leads to:

• The commercial area - trade, office and finance: Office assistant, sales assistant, wholesale trade assistant, display artist

The basic social and health training programmes

Entrance year for pupils coming directly from the ninth form
The entrance year is a year of practical work with children, old people and the handicapped. At the same time, at a college, trainees are taught about communication, co-operation, health subjects and the offers society makes available to the individual.
It is also possible to be taught some of the subjects from the Folkeskole and take the Leaving Examination of the Folkeskole (folkeskolens afgangsprøve) and the tenth form examination.
There is an examination at the end of the entrance year. If the young trainee has completed the entrance year satisfactorily, then he or she can be accepted as a trainee social and health helper.

Social and health helper
Young people who wish to begin after the tenth form can apply directly for the social and health helper training programme.
Once accepted for this training, the young person is employed on a contract and receives trainee pay throughout the training programme.

The training alternates between theoretical training at a social and health college and periods of practical training in institutions, day centres and nursing homes or in the home-care service.
As a social and health helper you will chiefly be giving practical help and caring for older people and the handicapped.

A trained social and health helper can continue training to become a social and health assistant.

Social and health assistant
After completing the social and health helper training programme, it is possible to continue training to become a social and health assistant. This training will qualify you to work in hospitals, nursing homes and similar places.

The basic social educator training (Pædagogisk grunduddannelse, PGU)
Young people who want to work with children and youngsters can apply for the basic social educator training.
The training takes eighteen months. It alternates between practical training in an institution and theoretical study at a college.
Trainees receive trainee pay throughout the programme.
To be accepted for this training, you must have completed the entrance year or have at least one year of work experience.

It is also possible for young people to take further training in the social and health area through the entrance examinations to the higher social and health training programmes, to become for example a nurse, a social educator (pædagog) or a social worker (socialrådgiver).

Gymnasiale uddannelser
- general and vocational upper secondary education

• Gymnasium - general upper secondary school (studentereksamen)

• HF - higher preparatory examination

• HHX - higher commercial examination

• HTX - higher technical examination

The upper secondary subjects include subjects within natural science and the humanities, social science and commerce. Other subjects include sports, art, drama, films and media, and music.
Most subjects are obligatory, but it is possible to choose a number of optional subjects.
The subjects are taught at different levels, and it is possible to take examinations at different levels.

There are a number of requirements for admission to the various types of upper secondary education. These are given in more detail under the separate types of education. The pupil's personal education plan from the ninth or tenth form is also included when assessing the pupil's chances for admission.

The pupil's active participation is essential
The form of teaching used demands that the pupils are active and work independently in class, in groups with other pupils as well as in doing their homework. Through the course of upper secondary education there will be a number of major written assignments.

Many forms of teaching
Camp schools, study trips and excursions are also an important part of the teaching process. Through these activities the pupils learn to work together and learn about social, economic, cultural and other aspects of society.
Besides this there are often joint arrangements such as trips to the theatre, visits to museums or lectures on topical themes.

Upper secondary education prepares the way for higher education
Upper secondary education prepares pupils for further studies at higher education institutions such as teacher training colleges, nursing training colleges and universities. The pupils learn different ways of studying and working, and they acquire the skills and maturity that are necessary for taking a higher education.

What should you choose?
It is impossible to give a short or simple answer to the question of which upper secondary education to choose. The choice depends on many things such as the student's wish for education in the future, particular combinations of subjects, family traditions and which opportunities are available locally. However, the education plan is an important tool in making this choice.

Upper secondary education opens the way to all forms of higher education (with supplementary courses in certain subjects if necessary). There is a tendency, though, for those who have taken the higher technical examination (HTX) to choose a technical education, and for those who choose the higher commercial examination (HHX) to continue in finance or in trainee jobs in private businesses or public institutions.
On the other hand, those who have chosen the ordinary Gymnasium continue in all types of education. Young people who have completed their higher preparatory examination (HF) also choose from a very wide range of opportunities, but most of them prefer the short or medium-cycle programmes of higher education.

Gymnasium - upper secondary school (studentereksamen)

The Gymnasium offers a general upper secondary education programme covering a very wide range of subjects, for example within natural science, the humanities and social science, providing a broad basis for further education. In addition all pupils are taught creative subjects such as sports, music and art.
By choosing a number of optional subjects each pupil can build up an individual education to suit personal wishes and abilities.
The languages line concentrates on three modern foreign languages.
The mathematics line concentrates on Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. During the last year at school the pupils work on a major written assignment in a subject of their own choice.
Grades are given for continual assessment as well as for examinations.

Admission requirements

You can be admitted to the Gymnasium if you have:

• completed the ninth form of the Folkeskole and

• followed teaching in German or French from the seventh to the ninth form and

• passed the Leaving Examination of the Folkeskole or the tenth form examination in Danish and Mathematics

In the Gymnasium the pupil chooses to follow either the languages line or the mathematics line. To start on the languages line, it is also necessary to have passed the Leaving Examination of the Folkeskole in English and German or French. To start on the mathematics line it is necessary to have passed the Leaving Examination of the Folkeskole in Physics/Chemistry.

Higher preparatory examination (HF)

The higher preparatory examination is a general upper secondary education programme. This means that it covers a very wide range of subjects within natural science, the humanities and social science, providing a broad basis for further education. In addition all those studying for the higher preparatory examination have training in sports and art or music.
Through a choice of optional subjects the individual pupil has considerable influence on the range of subjects covered by the complete examination.
During the last year at school the pupils work on a major written assignment in a subject of their own choice.
Grades are not given for continual assessment, but grades are given for examinations in each of the subjects taken.

Admission requirements

You can start studying for the higher preparatory examination if you have:

• completed the tenth form of the Folkeskole and

• passed the tenth form examination in Danish and two of the following subjects: Mathematics, English, and either German or French

If it is a year or more since you left school, you can take the higher preparatory examination in the form of single subjects. This means that you can choose to take subjects individually and eventually combine them to a complete examination.

Higher commercial examination (HHX)

The higher commercial examination (HHX) is a general and vocational upper secondary education programme where the emphasis is placed on commercial and social science subjects such as Contemporary History, Business Economics, International Economics, Commercial Law, IT and Marketing.
During the last year the student works on a major written assignment in a subject of his/her own choice.
Grades are given for continual assessment as well as for examinations.

Requirements for admission

You can be admitted to the HHX programme if you have:

• completed the ninth form of the Folkeskole and

• taken German or French in the seventh to ninth forms and

• passed the Leaving Examination of the Folkeskole or the tenth form examination in Danish and Mathematics, English and either French or German.

Higher technical examination (HTX)

HTX is a general and vocational upper secondary education programme combining theory and practical work and consisting especially of project work in technology and technical subjects.
The teaching makes considerable use of IT (information technology).
During the last year the student works on a major practical-technical project.
Grades are given for continual assessment as well as for examinations.

Requirements for admission

You can be admitted to the HTX programme if you have:

• completed the ninth form of the Folkeskole and

• taken German or French in the seventh to ninth forms and

• passed the Leaving Examination of the Folkeskole or the tenth form examination in Danish and Mathematics, English and Physics/Chemistry

Other possibilities

Vocational basic training (erhvervsgrunduddannelse, EGU)

Vocational basic training (EGU) takes two years, but can be extended with practical training for up to a year.
EGU is a practical training designed for young people who find it difficult for one reason or another to start on one of the ordinary vocational training programmes. It is designed to give the young person technical skills and to develop maturity, so that it becomes easier to find a job or start on an ordinary vocational training programme.
The training alternates between theoretical teaching at a vocational college, production school, continuation school or similar, and practical training on the job. During the training programme you will be in touch with a guidance counsellor, who will also help to find a suitable place for practical training.
This training programme can consist of individually chosen subjects, but may also be offered as a training programme for a particular industrial sector in co-operation with a vocational college or a production school.

Training for a particular industrial sector could be in one of the following sectors:

• auto and metalwork

• shops and offices

• stores and transport

• canteens and catering

• social education and welfare work

To be admitted to a vocational basic training (EGU) programme, you apply to the municipality (kommune). Different municipalities may have different offers. The municipal youth advisory service can give you more details.

While at school, trainees receive a grant, and during practical training periods they receive trainee wages.

Open youth education (FUU)

An open youth education (FUU) programme is an individual training scheme. This means that young people, together with a guidance counsellor, prepare their own personal training programme. The purpose of the FUU programme is to develop the student both personally and vocationally, giving him or her more opportunities for continuing in education or training or for finding a job. The aims and content of the individual training programme will be described in an education plan.
The training scheme normally takes two years and there must be at least three parts in the education plan.
Young people who have completed their compulsory schooling may start on a FUU scheme. You can draw up an education plan at a recognised school, which will be responsible for the training. It could be a youth school, a continuation school (efterskole), a school for arts and crafts, a folk high school for young people, or a production school.
The FUU programme must always begin at the school which is responsible for the education plan.
At least half of the programme must be spent at a school or schools recognised by the Ministry of Education. The rest of the programme may consist of practical training, project work, work for a society or organisation, or practical training or education abroad.

An open youth education (FUU) programme must have an aim, for instance in one of the following directions:

• sports

• the media and IT

• music and theatre

• textiles and design

• arts and creative subjects

• ecology and the environment

• social education or the health and care field

As this training programme is organised individually, you must be active yourself and prepared to co-operate very closely with the guidance counsellor at the school which is responsible for the training.
The municipality's youth advisory service will give information about schools which may be responsible for this form of training.

Bridge-building courses

Bridge-building is a combined training and guidance scheme. Its purpose is to test and develop abilities and interests in relation to a youth education and training programme.
A bridge-building course takes between eight and forty weeks and must include at least two types of school. This means for example that you can try out both a technical college and a commercial college.
Most bridge-building courses are carried out at a vocational college or similar, but some Gymnasiums also run these courses.

Production schools

A production school is for young people who are not yet ready to start on an ordinary youth education and training programme.
There is both practical and theoretical training at a production school. As a rule, most of the training takes place in workshops where many different products are made. The trainees are also given the opportunity to go to classes in Danish, Arithmetic, IT and other subjects.
You can start at a production school at any time and continue for up to a year. There are production schools throughout the country and normally the training offered is in the following fields:

• wood and metalwork

• drama and theatre

• textiles and design

• canteens and catering

• ecology and market gardening

• video and multimedia technology

• IT and communications

At a production school trainees receive a grant.

Youth schools

For young people who wish to improve in the subjects they learned in the Folkeskole and take a final examination, the youth schools offer courses both in the daytime and in the evenings.

Home economics and textile design colleges

These colleges provide training in cooking, the theory of nutrition, housekeeping, personal care, textiles, needlework, dyeing and similar subjects. Courses in more general subjects are also available.
A course at a home economics and textile design college provides a chance to mature as well as to obtain general qualifications.

Home economics and textile design colleges are private colleges which charge fees for tuition and board, but both the state and the municipality give subsidies.

Folk high schools for young people

For those aged between 16½ and 19 it is possible to take an extra school year at a folk high school for young people. These are boarding schools. There are no tests or examinations at these schools.

Fees are charged for tuition and board, but both the state and the municipality give subsidies.

Special offers for refugees and immigrants

In towns or areas where there are large numbers of refugees or immigrants, there are special training offers for young people who have started their Danish education later than normal. These offers usually consist of courses in the normal Folkeskole subjects, with the emphasis on learning Danish.

Further details

How do you apply for youth training and education?

To apply for most youth education or training programmes, application forms can be obtained from the pupil's school and returned there. The form is generally known as the SOT form which means the co-ordinated application form (SOT stands for samordnet tilmelding).
The deadline for application each year is 15 March, and the form must be returned to the school by that date at the latest.
This form must be used when applying for the following:

• EUD - vocational education and training

• the basic social and health training schemes

• the Gymnasiale uddannelser - general and vocational upper secondary education Gymnasium - upper secondary school (studentereksamen)
  higher preparatory examination (HF)
  higher commercial examination (HHX)
  higher technical examination (HTX)
  

For the other programmes you need to apply directly to the institution which offers the programme, such as the following:

• tenth form

• continuation school

• folk high schools for young people

• vocational basic training (EGU)

• open youth education (FUU)

• home economics and textile design colleges

• production schools

Finances

Pupils at the Folkeskole, the Gymnasium and continuation schools, on an open youth education (FUU) programme or the basic courses of the VET programme do not receive pay or grants.
However, pupils who are eighteen years old or over may apply for SU (the Danish State Education Grant and Loan Scheme). Everyone over eighteen may apply for an education grant and receive financial support from the state subject to specific rules.
The amount depends on the parents' income and whether the young person lives with his/her parents or has moved away from home.
In addition it is possible to take out loans at specially low interest where the state provides security under the Danish State Education Grant and Loan Scheme. This also applies to foreign citizens resident in Denmark, who meet certain requirements.

Pupils in vocational basic training (EGU) and production schools receive an education grant. The amount depends on their age: there is one rate for those under eighteen and one for those over eighteen.

Young people in vocational education and training (EUD) who have a contract for practical training with an employer receive trainee pay or practical training pay. The amount varies according to the industrial area concerned and is fixed according to the current collective agreements. Pupils in school practical training at a vocational college also receive pay.

Trainees on the basic training programmes for social and health helpers and assistants and on the basic social educator training programme receive trainee pay throughout their course of training.

If you need more information, you can ask the school's guidance counsellor or the municipality's youth counsellor, who can also help you to apply for financial support.