7. Flexibilisation of qualification levels

A central issue also in Denmark is to increase the attractiveness and status of initial vocational education and training. One approach initiated in a number of countries is to provide the option for students of vocational programmes to acquire qualifications for university entrance alongside their vocational qualifications, based on varying degrees of combination or integration of general and vocational education. "Double qualification" is a common term for this approach.

In Denmark efforts have been made in the new reform to achieve parity of esteem between vocational and general education, and between work-based and education-based learning. The resulting qualifications will open up alternative routes into professional work and advanced studies. The aim is to make the VET programmes more open and attractive to young people and to reduce the need to take more than one youth education. The VET reform introduces two flexible options for students with special capacities, motivation and needs: 1) a double qualification, and 2) a partial qualification.

Double qualification

The reform makes it possible for students to get parallel courses in general (academic) subjects and to have this credited. Supplementary subjects will be offered by increasing the total duration of the education, either by making use of the flexible space of time in the foundation course (from 10 to 60 weeks) or during the later phases of the programme.

The possibility to achieve a double qualification will be offered in a structure allowing the student to supplement his ordinary education by selecting special subjects during the course of it or, alternatively, in a consecutive structure where the student may study additional subjects for up to 11/2 years after having finished the VET programme. Matriculation requirements are defined as a minimum level of achievement in specific subjects. In the vocational curricula the students are informed about which subjects need to be supplemented for matriculation requirements. Additional subjects will normally be selected from the technical upper secondary curriculum (HTX).

Partial qualification

A new component introduced by the reform is the opportunity given to lower achievers to acquire a partial qualification if they are not (yet) able to complete a full VET programme. Two forms will be available. The partial qualification may be offered as a well-defined and integral part of an ordinary course, regulated by a ministerial order, and must be approved by the Trade Committee as constituting a recognised competency within the specific segment of the employment system. This model requires an alternance-based training of at least 11/2 years duration.

Alternatively, the college or the student may develop an individually designed programme which is completed with a partial qualification that must be related to the ordinary programme in a way which allows the student to complete a full VET programme if he so desires. Individually designed programmes, which must be approved by the relevant Trade Committee, are alternance-based and last at least 2 years. The target group is expected to be made up of 1-3% of the yearly student intake in vocational education and training, corresponding to 250-750 students.

Denne side indgår i publikationen "New structure of the Danish Vocational Education and Training System" som kapitel 7 af 8
© Undervisningsministeriet 2000