Danish vocational schools showcase lesser-known trades to meet future labour demands

Denmark’s lesser-known vocational programmes will take centre stage at this year’s DM i Skills championship in Hjørring, as industry leaders warn of critical labour shortages in key trades needed for defence, green transition, and infrastructure projects, DR reports.

The annual national skills competition, running from Thursday to Saturday, will feature around 300 students competing in 48 different vocational disciplines—ranging from well-known trades like carpentry and cooking to niche specialisations such as aluminium construction and sailmaking. An additional 30 programmes will be demonstrated, including nutritional assistant and ship rigging.

Organisers emphasise the event’s role in addressing a looming skills gap. “We believe DM i Skills can make a difference,” said Henrik Jespersgaard, skills consultant for the North Jutland vocational schools hosting the event. “Visitors will see the incredible breadth of vocational education—including trades they’ve never heard of. We hope this inspires young people to choose these critical professions.”

Defence and infrastructure projects drive demand

Denmark’s planned naval expansion—including domestic construction of new warships—has intensified the need for specialised labour. Christina Ørskov, director of Ørskov Yard shipyard in Frederikshavn, stressed urgency: “Training a ship assembler or maritime blacksmith takes four years. We must start now to be ready when construction begins.” The naval project alone is expected to create 2,000 jobs, though foreign labour will likely supplement domestic workers.

Similar shortages threaten other sectors. Jannik Juul Nielsen, education consultant at Byggeriets Uddannelser, warned that Denmark will lack bygningsstruktører (construction structurers, formerly earthwork and concrete workers) for flood protection, bridge-building, and foundation work. “If we fail to attract trainees, we’ll rely on foreign labour,” he said. “While that’s acceptable, Denmark’s reputation rests on our skilled domestic workforce.”

Declining vocational enrolment adds pressure

The push to promote lesser-known trades comes as a report from the Confederation of Danish Industry projects a decline of 150,000 skilled workers by 2035. Ørskov, who sits on the board of organising school EUC Nord, believes the championship’s focus on niche professions could help reverse the trend: “When young people see these trades in action, it opens their eyes to opportunities they never considered.”

This year’s DM i Skills, held at Park Vendia in Hjørring, expects around 50,000 spectators over three days.