The Danish government has unveiled a visionary budget proposal for 2024, setting aside substantial funds for the Ministry of Children and Education. A large share of these funds will be allocated to vocational education and training (VET), which will benefit from this considerable financial boost. These funds will be employed in various ways to enhance the quality of vocational education and training. Investments in state-of-the-art equipment, upskilling of educators, and the creation of more attractive social and academic environments are among the key strategies. The goal is to make vocational education more appealing to both the young and adults.
Budget and initiatives covered
In 2024, an allocation of EUR 42 million (DKK 311 million) has been earmarked for vocational education and training, with this amount set to rise to a staggering EUR 122 million (DKK 911 million) by 2030. This represents an impressive 10% increase compared to the previous year. Minister for Children and Education Mattias Tesfaye expressed his enthusiasm for these ground-breaking investments. He highlighted the importance of this substantial financial commitment, characterising it as one of the largest investments ever made in VET.
One noteworthy initiative within the budget is the commitment to permanently maintain the Quality Fund. This fund, first established in 2016, distributes resources to vocational education providers based on their share of the total subsidies allocated to vocational education and training. With an annual allocation of EUR 28 million (DKK 209 million), this initiative seeks to sustain and improve further the quality of vocational education in Denmark.
VET will play a crucial role in securing a greener and more sustainable future for Denmark. As the country embarks on an ambitious green transition based on its 2020 Climate Act, there is an increasing demand for skilled workers who could also support green innovation. These investments are expected contribute to Denmark's overall commitment to environmental sustainability.
This funding will also improve VET attractiveness, for both young and adult learners. By creating an environment that fosters growth, innovation, and quality education, Denmark will allocate funds to reducing dropouts from its VET programmes.
For Denmark, investing in VET is regarded as something more than a simple investment in the future of education. It is also considered a testament to its commitment to a greener and more sustainable world. Pointing VET to the ‘right direction’, Denmark aims to lead the way in the global green transition, providing the world with a model of success in the pursuit of sustainable practices and the creation of a workforce that is well-equipped to address the challenges of the 21st century.
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Please cite this news item as: ReferNet Denamark; Cedefop (2023). Denmark: substantial funds set aside for VET. National news on VET |