Skilled is cool

The project has been completed

"Skilled is Cool" (2020-2023) was a project where Business Center Bornholm was the project owner, working with a focus on securing future skilled labour on Bornholm. The project was supported with millions and introduced new methods to get more young people to choose – and complete – a vocational education.

Background:
There is a growing shortage of skilled labour in Denmark, exacerbated by factors including the coronavirus crisis. Many young people are opting out of vocational training programmes, and almost 25% of apprentices drop out of their training. The project addressed these challenges through a series of specific initiatives.

Interventions and methods:

1. Information and company visits:
   Materials about local vocational education and training programmes were developed and shared, including via knowledge hubs and school visits. A fixed concept for company visits was created to give young people positive experiences of skilled work.

2. Role models:
   A network of 20-30 apprentices was established. These acted as role models and inspired young people through school visits and digital platforms.

3. Guaranteed work placement:
   An existing scheme guaranteed work placements for all vocational students on Bornholm, which removed uncertainties and motivated more to choose vocational education and training programmes.

4. Business support and training:
   Local businesses received tools, courses and one-to-one mentoring to improve the apprentices' work placements. This included hotline support, evaluations and thematic meetings.

Results:
The project resulted in concrete tools and methods that strengthened the connection between young people, education programmes and business. Several initiatives, such as the apprenticeship overview and the company catalogue, have been continued by UU Bornholm.

Going forward:
The lessons learned from the project have been compiled into a final report, which can serve as inspiration for others working on the recruitment and retention of skilled workers nationwide.

The project demonstrated how local needs and resources can be utilised to create sustainable solutions for the skilled workforce of the future.

 

Bornholm Model - Apprenticeship Guarantee on Bornholm

The Bornholm model was the project that led to "Skilled is cool"

About the project

Leading companies in vocational industries on Bornholm joined forces to guarantee apprenticeship placements for young people from Bornholm. The aim was to secure the island's future skilled workforce. The project has created a strong model for cooperation between businesses and the municipality, which can be continued in the future.

Results and highlights

2019 was a record year:
The project culminated in 2019, a year marked by great successes. A total of 419 apprenticeship agreements were signed with apprentices living on Bornholm – an increase of 12.3 % compared with 2018. The healthcare sector in particular saw significant growth, with a rise of no less than 47.4 % in the number of agreements signed. This demonstrates how focused collaboration and innovative solutions can deliver tangible results.

The efforts of businesses and the municipality:
Mayor Winni Grosbøll has highlighted that the record year is the result of a joint effort between the municipality and local businesses. Especially within the social and health sector, impressive results have been achieved, which is an important step towards ensuring qualified labour for the eldercare sector.

Benefits and obligations for businesses

Benefits:

• Increased visibility through campaigns and work experience events.
• Participation in annual apprenticeship speed dating sessions.
• Recruitment support, including matching students to vacant positions.
• Administrative assistance for recruitment processes.

Liabilities:

• Approval to take on students within relevant education programmes.
• Collaborating to find placements for students who cannot find a work placement on their own.
• Possibility of partial contracts if the company cannot cover the entire training course.
• Promotion of the work placement guarantee among partners.

Forward-looking work

Based on the success of the project, "Skilled trades are great" launched, it was to build on the experiences and strengthen recruitment for vocational education and training in Bornholm.

The project "the Bornholm model" has not only achieved its goals, but also created a solid foundation for future efforts to ensure qualified labour for the island's many industries.