In general, it is difficult for vocational schools to obtain all the needed apprentices and skilled workers. But one bright spot is the adult apprenticeship program. Since 2019, the number of adult apprentices has exploded. The program has been particularly popular among the unemployed.
Increase of 81 per cent
The number of people who have started an adult apprenticeship is historically high. In the first half of 2022, 4,330 people from either unemployment or employment had started an adult apprenticeship, while in the first half of 2019, there were 2,390 started courses – corresponding to an increase of 81 per cent. For the group of unemployed, the figure has increased from 1,089 to 3,019.
Must be older than 25
The adult apprenticeship program is generally used by unskilled and skilled unemployed and unskilled employed people who want to start an education in social and health education, as well as electricians and carpenters. An adult apprentice is a person over the age of 25 who completes an apprenticeship with alternating school and internship periods. The adult apprenticeship program allows companies to subsidize the salary during the internship periods.
Vacancy requirements relaxed
The requirement for prior unemployment has been eased from six to three months from August 2020 to and including 2021, with an agreement on strengthened upskilling from 2020. With the tripartite agreement on labour shortages last year, the trial was extended until the end of this year.
Huge societal challenge
Employment Minister Peter Hummelgaard says:
– As a society, we face a massive challenge in getting enough intelligent workers. Many companies find it difficult to obtain the necessary skilled labour. Therefore I am thrilled to see that in 2022 there are also an incredible number of unemployed people starting an adult apprenticeship.
Unemployed people become skilled workers
– To me, it shows that the government’s policy is working. Among other things, we have eased access to the program so that more unemployed people can try their hand at a workplace and skilled training. It has made a difference for the individual and the companies, says Peter Hummelgaard.
– I am pleased that unemployed people, in particular, use the scheme to get educated as social workers, electricians and carpenters. These are all professional groups that are really in demand at the moment. It just shows that this program helps alleviate the recruitment challenges, says the Minister of Employment in a press release.
