Danish carpentry students struggle to secure apprenticeships despite looming industry shortage

Gustav Sigsgaard, a carpentry student at Tech College in Aalborg, Denmark, has been spending his summer holidays fervently searching for an apprenticeship. He is among the many students who have opted for vocational training but have yet to secure a placement for the next academic year.

“It’s somewhat comical that companies are screaming for journeymen, but you can’t become one without an apprenticeship. It’s odd that we’re not being supported by corporations,” said Sigsgaard.

He is not alone in his predicament. At Tech College, 30% of carpentry students do not have an apprenticeship, while at EUC Nord in Hjørring, 49 students are without placements.

Sigsgaard, 26, describes the situation as stressful. If he does not find an apprenticeship by the end of the summer holidays, he will start an on-campus apprenticeship program at his college. Although this is a decent alternative, it is not what the school or Sigsgaard himself wants.

In his search for an apprenticeship, Sigsgaard has tried various approaches such as sending applications, making phone calls, and even visiting companies whose names he has spotted on vans.

According to both Tech College and EUC Nord, as well as representatives from the construction industry, there will be a future shortage of skilled craftsmen, particularly carpenters.

Michael Jørgensen, director of NCO Byg in Aars and chairman of the board for Danish Industry Construction in North Jutland, commented, “It’s a huge challenge that we can’t provide some young people with an apprenticeship when we know we’ll need them in the construction industry in the future.”

He pointed out that while companies are taking on more apprentices than ever, the increasing number of students and slightly declining construction activity means there are not enough placements for everyone. He urged the industry to do more to address this issue, ensuring an adequate supply of skilled carpenters in the future.