The journeyman's exam as a plastics moulder — how you prepare

The journeyman's exam is the culmination of your entire education. According to the official notice on vocational education to plastics moulder, the education's objectives and professional descriptions form the common basis for both teaching at school, apprenticeship in the company — and thus also for assessment at the final journeyman's exam. In other words: nothing new or surprising comes to the exam that hasn't already been part of what you learned along the way.

§What must the test document?

The purpose of the journeyman's exam is to show that you have achieved the competence objectives that belong to your level and speciality — that is you can set up a machine or task carry it out professionally correctly check the quality of the result and explain your choices along the way. The exam typically takes place in connection with the last school period at the end of the main course and the school arranges the specific task according to the training's journeyman exam guide.

§Practical and theoretical part

The test itself typically has a practical core where you solve a concrete task within your specialty — thermoplastic or thermoset — and are judged on both method and result. Often the practical task is supplemented by a theoretical or oral part where you must justify your choices explain material choices or account for quality control. Your training company also contributes with a practical certificate describing how you have managed throughout your training — it counts in the overall picture of your professionalism not just the test day itself.

• 01Reread your own notes and assignments from the school periods — the journeyman's exam builds directly on what you have already learned.
• 02Practice explaining your choices aloud, not just performing them — the oral part values your understanding, not just your handcraft.
• 03Ask your training manager what tasks the company typically works with and practice those specific ones in good time.
• 04Check with school which aids and materials you must bring yourself to exam

§Assessment

The assessment at the journeyman's exam is given according to the 7-point scale, which is used throughout the Danish education system, and an external examiner typically participates in the assessment together with the school's teachers to ensure consistent and fair assessment across groups and years.

After the journeyman exam

When you have passed your journeyman certificate is issued and you can call yourself a skilled plasterer. It is at the same time the beginning of new opportunities – from specialization in production to the one-year supplement as a plastic specialist for those who want to move forward immediately.

“The journeyman's exam tests not whether you're perfect — it tests whether you can stand by your own work.”

— Professional view on the journeyman's exam.