How you employ someone and what rights they have from day one
From basic course to journeyman's certificate
The path to becoming a graphic technician is a vocational education that alternates between school and training in a company. This means you learn the trade both in a classroom and put it into practice in real production. Here you get an overview of how the process connects from start to journeyman certificate.
§The total duration
The education takes about 3 years and 6 months in total when you go the full way. If you are over 25 years old, the course can be shorter because you can get credit for experience you already have. Most of the time you spend in training in a business, while school periods come as concentrated sessions along the way.
§Basic course 1 and 2
If you come directly from 9th or 10th grade, you start on basic course 1, which lasts about half a year and is a broad, experimental start. Then comes basic course 2, which is aimed at the subject itself and typically lasts 20 weeks. If you have already finished primary school more than a year ago, you can skip directly to basic course 2.
§Main course
When you have an apprenticeship agreement with a company you begin the main course. There are a total of 20 school weeks spread over four school periods and the rest of the time you're in training. The course ends with a journeyman's test showing you master the trade.
| Part | Where | Approximate duration |
|---|---|---|
| Basic course 1 | Vocational school. | A half year (only directly from lower secondary school) |
| Basic course 2 | Vocational school. | 20 uger |
| Main course | Company + school | Most of the course; 20 school weeks over four sessions |
| Journeyman's exam | Vocational school. | Ends the education |
§Entry requirements
To start the basic course you normally must have passed primary school's leaving exam with an average of at least 2.0 in both Danish and mathematics. If you don't meet the requirement you can in some cases get in via an entrance exam and interview at the school.
§What if you don't find an apprenticeship position?
It can take time to find a company willing to take you as an apprentice. If you don't find an apprenticeship agreement right away, you can at some schools continue in school training where you complete the practical part at school instead of at a company. This way you can move forward while you look for a position.