Certification of employers
In order for an employer to take on apprentices, the employer must be certified by the national trade committee for that apprenticeship.
The guidelines and procedures below for the certification of employers apply to:
- The National Trade Committee for the Training and Education of the
Bricklayer, Stonemason and Stucco Worker (Det Faglige Fællesudvalg for Murer-, Stenhugger- og Stukkaturfaget) - The National Trade Committee for the Training and Education of the
Builder, Roofer and Paver (Det Faglige Fællesudvalg for Struktør-, Tagdækker- og Brolæggerfaget)
- The National Trade Committee for the Training and Education of the
Carpenter, Floor Layer and Thatcher (Det Faglige Udvalg for Træfagenes Byggeuddannelse)
- The National Trade Committee for the Training and Education of the Technical Insulator (Det Faglige Udvalg for Isoleringsfaget
When an employer wishes to apply for certification to take on apprentices, the employer is required to complete an application form or contact the local vocational college, the local training council or Byggeriets Uddannelser. The application process can be completed in a couple of weeks.
Who must apply for certification?
- Employers that have not previously been certified for the training of apprentices
- Employers whose most recent apprentice completed the training more than five years ago
- Employers that have previously been granted limited certification. They must apply for a new assessment in order to revoke this limitation
- Employers that have changed their CVR number. In this case, the certified employer must submit a new application. A new assessment will, however, rarely be required
Application form
Assessment of applications
Pursuant to Danish legislation on vocational training schemes, it is formally the national trade committee for the particular trade that certifies employers for apprenticeships. In practice, certification is handled by the local training committees as it is believed that they possess a higher level of local and technical insight into the employer’s business.
In order to become certified for apprenticeships, employers must meet the requirements specified in the work experience regulations that apply to the apprenticeship and must offer apprentices a satisfactory learning and training environment.
As part of its assessment, the local training committee may contact the employer about e.g. the employer’s training facilities, expected offers of employment etc. Should the local training committee wish to visit the employer during this process, the company manager must be present.
A local training committee may follow up on the certification at a meeting at the local vocational college where the apprenticeship, documentation requirements, guidelines for school and apprenticeship tests etc. will be presented.
When a local training committee has completed its assessment of the employer, this is submitted to Byggeriets Uddannelser. The certified employer will then receive its certification and information on training, wage requirements, holidays, grants etc.
If a local training committee has not completed the application within ten days after receiving this information, administrative certification will be granted instead.
Forms of certification
Depending on the work involved and the size and experience of the employer, the employer will either be granted full or partial certification or, in very rare cases, receive a rejection. The reason for is explained in the decision from Byggeriets Uddannelser.
Full certification
Employers with the required number of employees and technical projects will be granted full certification.
Limited certification:
Limited certification is granted if e.g.:
- The employer is able to offer the required technical projects, but has a small number of employees. Certification may be limited to a set number of apprentices based on a standard of two apprentices per skilled proprietor and one apprentice per skilled employee/assistant.
- The employer lacks the required technical projects for the training of the apprentice.
Employers are able to enter into a combination agreement in partnership with another fully or partially certified employer.
A combination agreement may include two or more apprenticeship agreements and must state in which period each employer has the legal, financial and educational responsibility for the apprentice.
The employers must be able to jointly provide apprentices with a full apprenticeship.
Certifications are also published on www.praktikpladsen.dk. (In Danish only). The praktikpladsen.dk website is the Danish Ministry of Education’s free electronic apprenticeship forum for apprentices and employers.
Appeal
If the employer cannot accept the local training committee’s final decision, an appeal may be lodged with the Ankenævnet for Lære- og Praktikpladser (Appeals Board for Trainees and Apprentices) by e-mail to tvist@uvm.dk
Loan
Apprentices may be loaned to another employer if the original employer experiences a reduction in projects or is unable to offer challenging work. The legal, financial and educational responsibility will still rest with the employer that has entered into the apprenticeship agreement with the apprentice.
It is highly recommended that the apprentice and the two employers enter into a written and signed loan agreement that includes a description of the scope of the loan period and its technical content.
The apprentice may not be loaned for work that requires a change of residential address if this has not been agreed. If the loan period entails overnight stays, this must be accepted by the apprentice or the apprentice’s guardian if the apprentice is under the age of 18.