1. SDE COLLEGE AND THE DANISH
EDUCATION SYSTEM
Jørgen Seeberg Project Manager, MA

2. SDE College (Syddansk Erhvervsskole )
Odense Tekniske Skole
Vejle Tekniske Skole
Founded 19. November 1844 (Odense) og
winter 1855/56 (Vejle)
Merged 1. January 2008
Both schools around year 1900

3. The Danish education system

4. The Danish vocational education system
The dual training principle – this principle ensures that the trainees acquire
theoretical, practical, general and personal skills, which are in demand by the
labour market

5. Our goals
• We are recognized and respected as the leading technical
college in Denmark.
• We have positioned ourselves with professional beacons and
spearheads in strategically chosen fields.
• We are known for innovative thinking and innovative
processes.
• We are a popular workplace and we attract and maintain
the best staff and managers. Our staff is met with professional
recognition and respect.

6. Odense and Vejle:
Vocational education, Upper secondary
education + Continuing education
Grindsted:
10th grade and Vocational education
Vocational education paths:
10 ”entrances”:
•
•
•
•
Motor vehicle, aircraft and other
means of transportation
Building and construction
Construction and user service
Electricity, control and IT
•
•
•
•
•
•
Production and development
Body and style
Nutrition
Media production
Healthcare
Transport and logistics
(Odense)
(Odense)
(Vejle)
(Odense)
(Odense)
(Odense)

7. Odense
• Building and construction
• Electricity, control and IT
• Production and
development
• Construction and user
service
• Electricity, control and IT
• Motor vehicle, aircraft
and other means of
transportation
• Transport and logistics
• Student accommodation
• Building Restoration
Management
and
administration
Sales
and
courses
•
•
•
•
Healthcare
Body and style
Media production
Upper secondary education

8. Vejle
• Upper secondary
education
•
Motor vehicle, aircraft and
other means of transportation
• Bricklayer
• Courses
• Electricity, control and IT
• Management and administration
• Motor vehicle, aircraft and other
means of transportation
• Building and construction
• Nutrition
• Production and development
• Student accommodation

9. Grindsted
Basic training:
• Motor vehicle, aircraft and
other means of
transportation
• Building and construction
• Production and
development
• Electricity, control and IT
10. klasse

10. Characteristics of the school
• Public independent institution with a board of authority
• Biggest Vocational school in Denmark (5,277 students per year in 2012)
• Wide range of courses – Some courses/educations are only offered at
SDE College:
-Hospital Technical Assistant
-Marine Technician
-Building restoration
Overall growth in both Odense and Vejle over the past few years

11. School Values
• Professionalism
• To be developing, creative and innovative
• Focus on the individual
• Unwavering commitment
• Social responsibility
- Values which we pass on to our students

12. The school board (by 1 May 2014)
4 employer representatives
Danish Industries, Danish Construction, Tekniq, Horesta
4 employee representatives
Danish Metal, 3F (wood and transport), Danish Union of
Electricians
1 municipal representative
Municipality of Odense
1 board appointed representative
Politician, Anne Baastrup (SF)
1 + 1 employee representative
1 + 1 student representative

13. Some of the challenges we face
•
Demographic changes (smaller generations)
•
Internship Situation – Lacking willingness to take in VET interns
•
VET image
•
Competition with other schools – attraction of skilled students
- Introducing EUX Upper secondary degree + workers certificate
•
Education of the many (young) unskilled
•
Lack of skilled labor for huge future projects - roads, railway,
hospital, urban renewal projects
•
Stagnated course market

15. International activities at SDE College
Purpose:
- To give our students and staff a better understanding of a globalized
world
- Ability to learn how to interact in a multicultural working environment
- Exchange of best practice on all levels
- Future-proof the education we provide
We do that by offering the best possible:
• Student mobility and staff mobility
• International partnerships and networks
• Development projects
- Currently involved in 13 EU funded projects worth EUR 1 million