Aabenraa launches German-language programme to tackle educator shortage

UC Syd in Aabenraa has opened a new German-language programme for 18 students, in an effort to address Denmark’s shortage of educators, DR reports.

Teaching during the first two semesters will be conducted in German. The students will also receive Danish lessons and must pass a Danish-language test after their first year to continue their studies.

According to figures from the Danish Union of Early Childhood and Youth Educators, Danish childcare institutions currently lack 4,000 educators.

UC Syd rector Alexander Von Oettingen said the institution had a responsibility to train the teachers, educators and nurses needed by the welfare system. He said recruiting students from Germany could help bring more educators to Denmark to train and settle.

One of the students is 53-year-old Hilmar Krieg, who left his job as a self-employed haulage contractor in central Germany to begin the three-and-a-half-year programme.

Krieg said he expected the language to be the biggest challenge. If the students fail the Danish test after one year, they will be expelled from the programme, Von Oettingen said.