Jensen faces internship struggles amid staffing shortages in Danish daycare sector

When Tina Inge Jensen applied for the educational assistant program, she believed it to be a secure choice. Having heard about the shortage of trained staff in daycare centers and fueled by her passion for working with children, she thought this path would be ideal for her. The program enables graduates to work in daycare facilities, with some using the qualification as a stepping stone to further their education as teachers, as it provides entry to the teacher training program.

In January 2024, Jensen began her studies at a local health and social school, and everything seemed to be going well. However, when she applied for an internship position, she received disappointing news: there were only enough placements for half of her class. The situation shocked her; she had assumed that given the high demand for staff, securing a placement would be easier.

After several weeks of interviews, Jensen learned she did not receive an internship position, leaving her confused about the disparity between the need for trained professionals and the placement shortage. This uncertainty around her educational future left her questioning whether she would have to wait another year or even four to find a spot.

Nationwide, statistics show that one in four students was unable to secure an internship for 2024. The head of the national organization for health and social schools acknowledged the challenge of providing enough placements for students who have completed their basic training. Local municipalities are responsible for managing these internship positions, but have faced criticism for not creating enough opportunities in response to the growing need for qualified educational staff.

At Jensen’s school, only 34 out of 71 students secured placements for the next phase of their training, underscoring the difficult landscape for aspiring educational assistants. Despite the setback, she remains hopeful for the next application round, determined not to give up on her dream of working with children in a daycare setting.