Young people from Bornholm know too little about the vocational trades. Therefore, a number of businesses are inviting the young people in.

For many young people, upper secondary school is “the safe choice” if they are unsure of what they want to do after lower secondary school. They recognise most of the subjects from lower secondary school, and the method of teaching is fairly similar. Here, the vocational route can seem more unfamiliar. Because what does a smith or a nutritional assistant actually do? And what is everyday life like in a real workplace?

That type of question makes it difficult to make the educational choice that best suits the young person's actual interests and future dreams. Therefore, the project "Faglært er fedt" has produced a catalogue of businesses where classes from the island's primary and lower secondary schools can go on visits.

- Guidance counsellors, teachers and parents can talk as much as they like about vocational trades. Even so, there is nothing quite like experiencing the workplaces first-hand. It means a tremendous amount to get a feel for the atmosphere and see what work is actually carried out at the various workplaces, says Claus Stamer, chairman of the steering committee for Faglært er fedt (Vocational is cool)

Merethe Sejer has had the same experience. She is a workshop manager at KH Maskinfabrik in Rønne, where several classes have already been to visit.

- They are incredibly good at asking probing questions, and you can sense that they are becoming wiser. Most of them knew that blacksmiths work with iron, but they didn't know how varied the work can be. It's not that everyone has to become a blacksmith, but now they know what it is. That way they can make the right choice, she says.

Company directory makes it easy

The idea is to make it easy for teachers and students to get an overview of where they can experience which subjects. Before the visit, the students can have a presentation from a project consultant, who can talk about vocational education and training in general.

Already now, 14 companies are included in the catalogue. However, the plan is for even more to come on board. In this way, the young people will get an even better picture of the incredibly many attractive training and educational opportunities in the Bornholm companies. By the New Year, 158 Bornholm companies had approximately 600 pupils and apprentices across 59 trades.

- By registering their business, they help young people make the right choices for their future. At the same time, they contribute to a sustainable labour market on Bornholm, and they get a better opportunity to recruit the right apprentices. Therefore, we hope that many more businesses will sign up in the future, says Claus Stamer.