Camilla Wang calls for reform to address personnel shortages in Danish welfare sectors

Camilla Wang, chair of Danish Universities of Applied Sciences and rector of Absalon University College, has called for a comprehensive reform to ensure sufficient personnel in institutions caring for children, the sick, and socially vulnerable individuals. Her comments come just hours before the Danish government reveals its proposals for a new reform of youth and vocational education.

Currently, enrollment in key welfare programs—teacher, nursing, social work, and pedagogy—has been declining. In 2020, nearly 5,000 students were admitted to education programs for pedagogues, but that number dropped to around 3,645 this year. Wang emphasizes the urgent need to reverse this trend, highlighting that a lack of interest among young people in these fields could lead to critical shortages in essential services.

The government has hinted at its plans, aiming to prevent the closure of high schools in remote areas while proposing to replace the two-year hF program with a new three-year vocational education track called epx. Education Minister Mattias Tesfaye stated last week that the hF program could better prepare students for professional studies.

Starting in 2030, the government plans to allocate two billion kroner annually for this new education route, with tightened admission requirements for general secondary education. The proposed changes are aimed at igniting students’ passion for welfare professions, which are crucial for sustaining Denmark’s welfare state.

However, challenges remain, particularly regarding salary and working conditions in welfare sectors. Concerns have also been raised that higher entry requirements could deter prospective students from pursuing degrees in pedagogy and nursing, potentially leading to a shift in educational trajectories. Further details on the proposed reforms are expected to be unveiled when the government presents its plans.