How you educate children about nutrition
Basic courses 1 and 2, main course's alternation between school and practice, duration and admission
If you want to work with precious metals and stones on a daily basis, the path goes through vocational education. It falls under the main subject Technology, construction and transport, and is structured like most other vocational educations: a basic course at school, an apprenticeship in a company and a main course where you alternate between teaching and work. It is a good idea to know the order before you start so you know what awaits you when.
§The basic course in two parts
The basic course is divided into two. The first part is a broad introduction where you meet the world of the trade and find out if the craft suits you. The second part is aimed at the gold and silversmith trade itself, and this is where you really start using tools and learn the basic techniques. Each part of the basic course typically lasts 20 weeks.
If you come directly from primary school, you typically start the first part of the basic course. If you left school a long time ago or have other experience, you can in some cases begin on the second part. The school assesses where you should start.
§Lærepladsen er nøglen
When the basic program is completed, you must have a training agreement with a company to move on to the main program. The agreement is your contract: it gives you apprentice wages and a place in a real workshop, and it's a requirement for you to finish the program. Finding the apprenticeship is one of the most important things you do early on—start applying in good time.
§The main course: school and workshop alternating
The main course alternates between school periods and practical work at the company. At school you learn theory and new techniques under supervision, and in the workshop you apply it to routine on real tasks and customers. How long it takes depends on which specialization you are aiming for — the training can be completed at different levels and specializations with different durations.
§Total duration
Overall, the education typically runs from around 2.5 years to about 4.5 years, depending on your choice of specialization. The shortest courses lead to a level where you are ready for work in a shop with repairs and simple setting, while the longest courses give full vocational specialization. These figures cover the entire course including the basic course.
| Phase | What's happening | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Basic course 1 | Broad introduction to the field | 20 uger |
| Basic course 2 | Aimed at the goldsmith and silversmith trade | 20 uger |
| Main course | Alternation between school and practical training in a company | The rest of the course — depends on the specialism |
§Entry requirements and admission
To start you must have passed primary school's leaving exam with at least 2.0 on average in both Danish and mathematics. The subject also takes in a limited number of students at a time so there can be competition for places. If you don't get a place initially it can pay to apply again and in the meantime build up experience or build a portfolio.