SDE College is a technical college in Denmark formed by the 2008 merger of Odense Tekniske Skole and Vejle Tekniske Skole. It provides vocational education and training through the Danish dual education system, where students acquire both theoretical and practical skills. SDE College has campuses in Odense, Vejle, and Grindsted offering 10 vocational programs across industries like construction, transportation, healthcare and more. Its goals are to be recognized as a leading technical college through innovative education and attracting high-quality staff.

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