How you choose between glass types and frames
From basic course to journeyman's certificate — and how school and practical training alternate
The greenkeeper apprenticeship is a vocational apprenticeship where you alternate between school and apprenticeship at a workplace. This means that you always keep the theory and practice connected, and you earn a salary as soon as you have signed an apprenticeship contract. In this article we take a close look at how the course is structured from start to finish.
§The basic course — your first school periods
If you come directly from 9th or 10th grade, you start the first part of the basic course, which lasts about half a school year. Here you get the broad, basic competencies that apply to the whole green area, and you find out if the subject suits you. Then you continue to the second part of the basic course, which typically also spans about half a year and is more focused on the subject itself. If you left school more than a couple of years ago, you can in some cases start directly on the second part.
On the basic course, you work project-oriented and practically. You get into the workshop and the fields, learn about plants, soil, and machinery, and build the foundation you will stand on when you move on.
§Main course — school and training in rhythm
When the basic program is completed and you have a training agreement, you begin the main program. This is where you really become a greenkeeper. The main program alternates between school periods and longer periods with training at a company—it could be a golf club, a stadium, or a sports facility, and the training could in some cases take place abroad. During school periods you pick up the threads from practice and build new professional knowledge.
| Phase | What's happening | Approximate duration |
|---|---|---|
| Basic course 1 | Broad, basic competencies for the green area | A half school year |
| Basic course 2 | Trade-targeted teaching pointing toward greenkeeper craft. | A half school year |
| Main course | Alternation between school stays and company training | The rest of the course |
§How long does it take?
The total duration depends on your background. For most people the qualification takes up to around four and a half years, while it can be shorter if, for example, you have relevant experience or take an adult path. The point is that the program is adapted so you neither waste time on what you already know nor skip important steps.
§Entry requirements and admission
To enter you must have completed primary school and in principle have at least grade 02 on average in both Danish and mathematics at the leaving exam. If you don't meet the grade requirement you can come to an entrance interview and test at the school. If you apply directly from primary school there is an application deadline in spring so it is a good idea to be in good time.
§Adult path
If you are 25, you can take the education as a vocational education for adults. Here your competencies are assessed first, so the course can be shortened based on what you already know and have experience with. This makes the path shorter and more flexible if you come with work experience in your background.
“A vocational apprenticeship is designed to interweave theory and practice — you learn it at school and use it on the job.”