The industry today — jobs, workplaces and future

When you are done as a social and health worker you are not limited to just one place – there are many. The trade is used everywhere people need care support and practical help in everyday life and it gives you a broad palette of possibilities depending on what you are passionate about.

• 01The municipal home care — in the homes of citizens in their own homes
• 02Care homes and nursing homes
• 03Day and activity centres
• 04Residences and residential communities
• 05Areas with a focus on dementia and rehabilitation

It means that you can choose a day on a bike or in a car visiting citizens or a fixed location at a care facility. You can also change direction later in your working life because your education is broad and in demand throughout the country.

The need for care staff in Denmark is great, and for years it has been a challenge to train enough skilled workers for elderly care. As a trained social and health care worker you typically stand stronger than unskilled care staff, because you have documented competencies. Many municipalities like to hire their own students directly after training.

Two major lines shape the trade. First is demographics: there are more elderly and more living longer with chronic illnesses — creating persistent and growing need for care. Second is that welfare technology and documentation fill more of everyday so your ability to work with both people and technical aids becomes more important

The craft won't be automated away — it's about presence, care, and seeing the individual person, and no machine can take that over. But it evolves, and that gives you good reason to keep your competencies current and stay open to new knowledge throughout your working life.