How you deal with someone who self-harms or is suicidal

If you want to be a plasterer, you should expect an education that typically lasts about four years and three months when the basic course is included. It is a vocational education and follows the classical Danish model of alternation between school and practical training: you learn the theory and basic techniques at a vocational school and spend most of the time in a company where you work on real tasks together with experienced journeymen.

§The basic course - your gateway to the trade

You normally start with a basic course at a vocational school. It's divided into two parts and takes in total either 20 or 40 weeks. The difference depends on how much time has passed since you left primary school. If you come more or less directly from 9th or 10th grade, you start with the longer variant that begins with the first part of the basic course. If you've been away from school for more than a year, you can go directly into the second part of the basic course.

On the basic course, you are equipped with the basic craftsmanship skills and the theory you need before you can move on. You work, among other things, with material understanding, measuring, drawing, and the first exercises in shaping and casting.

§Main course - where the craft takes hold

When the basic program is completed and you have a training agreement with a company, you begin the main program. This is where you really become a stucco worker. Most of the time is as training at the company, but you come to school for two school periods along the way.

The two school periods are called H1 and H2. H1 lasts about 10 weeks and H2 lasts about 5 weeks. Between and around the school periods you work out in the trade so you constantly link what you learn at school with the tasks you encounter in everyday life.

§What does it require to get in?

To begin a vocational education you must meet the admission requirement of at least grade 2.0 on average in both Danish and math from elementary school's final exam — or equivalent exam. If you don't meet that there are alternative ways in for example via entrance exam and conversation at school.

To progress from the second part of the basic course to the main course you must also have the academic requirements in place, and you must have a training agreement with a master. The training agreement is your contract with the company and is a prerequisite for becoming an apprentice in the trade.

§The journeyman's exam at last

The education ends with a journeyman test. It typically consists of a drawing task and a practical task where you demonstrate that you master both the craftsmanship and the artistry in the trade. If you pass you receive your journeyman certificate and are now a qualified stucco worker.