How you diagnose problems — systematically
From basic course to qualified worker — step by step
When you want to be a nutrition assistant you follow the classical path for a vocational education in Denmark: you alternate between going to school and being in practical training (apprenticeship) at a real workplace. The idea is you learn theory at school and use it in the kitchen right away — and vice versa take questions from daily life back to teaching. It makes the education very practical and you earn wages most of the time.
§The basic course — your start
The basic training itself is divided into two parts called basic course 1 and basic course 2. If you come more or less directly from 9th or 10th grade you start on basic course 1 which lasts about half a year. Here you get a taste of the main area Food agriculture and experiences and figure out if the trade is for you. If more time has passed since you left lower secondary school you can skip directly to basic course 2.
Basic course 2 is where you really start to be directed towards the nutrition assistant trade. It lasts about 20 weeks and is about basic kitchen skills: raw materials, preparation, hygiene and the first steps into nutrition science. When basic course 2 is passed, you are ready to apply for an apprenticeship and move on to the main course.
§Main course — where you become skilled
The main course is the long part of the training and takes place after you have signed a training agreement with a large kitchen — for example at a hospital, a care center, a canteen, or an institution. The main course itself stretches over approximately three years to three years and two months. Most of the time you are in training at your workplace, but you come to school for several school periods along the way.
The school instruction in the main course comprises around 30 weeks distributed over at least three school stays. Here you build on nutritional calculations, diet, menu planning, self-control and large-scale production. Between school periods you work in the kitchen and gain routine in everything you've learned.
§How long does it take altogether?
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| Part | Approximate duration | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Basic course 1 | Ca. ½ år | Vocational school. |
| Basic course 2 | Approx. 20 weeks | Vocational school. |
| Main course | Ca. 3 år – 3 år 2 mdr. | Apprenticeship + approx. 30 weeks of school |
§Admission and access requirements
To enter the basic course you normally must have passed primary school's leaving exam and meet a grade requirement: an average of at least 2.0 in respectively Danish and mathematics. If you don't meet the requirement, there can be other ways in — for example via an entrance exam and interview. You apply through Optagelse.dk.
If you are 25 or have work experience, you can often take the education as an adult (EUV). So the course is put together based on what you can already do, and it can both shorten the education and give you adult apprentice pay along the way.
“Take it at your own pace: whether you come from school or from a completely different job, there's a way in for both.”