The Finance Act for 2023 has just been presented. In addition to already agreed expenses, it contains more money for, for example, the courts, share savings account and maternity of twins. But nothing for vocational schools. That causes Jakob Brandt, who is the managing director of SMEDanmark, to turn his thumb down.
It is very disappointing
– Unfortunately, we are falling an awful lot behind in a crucial race for qualified labour, but the politicians are sitting on their hands. In the next ten years, 80,000 skilled workers will retire, and there will be no one to replace them. At the same time, the need for skilled craftsmen for the practical part of green transition is increasing. So we will simply have to offer attractive vocational courses that contain the latest professional knowledge and have state-of-the-art equipment. But it costs money, and the politicians will not provide it. It is very disappointing, he says in a press release and continues:
Recommend separate negotiation
– It is especially the small and medium-sized companies that step in when solar cells have to be put on the roofs, our buildings insulated or the gas boiler replaced. But it will be difficult in the future if they do not have enough skilled, skilled employees. I would strongly recommend that vocational training budgets be taken up for separate negotiation between all responsible parties later this year. It is urgent, he says.
Also good measures
However, the Finance Act contains some measures that are praised by Jakob Brandt.
– Higher personal deductions for young people under the age of 18, so that they get a greater incentive to apply for part-time jobs, is quite rightly seen by the politicians. Several studies show that if you have had a part-time job, you have a greater chance of completing an education and getting a full-time job later. The earlier we can connect young people with business, the better, he says.
Praise for more money for the courts
– We have seen examples of companies abandoning the legal system, even if they have a good case. Because the waiting time at the courts far exceeds what is reasonable, and companies cannot bear to wait and spend resources on that. The grant from the Finance Act falls on a dry spot, but I expect the increased grant to continue in the coming years until we have reduced the waiting time to an acceptable level, says Jakob Brandt.
