More seek IT-educations but are rejected: "Scrap the ceiling and let more study in the city"

It's a bit tedious when politicians think they can get more young people to choose an IT education outside the major cities by setting a cap on those educations.

This is the opinion of industry organizations and an expert.

"It's a great thought, but the young people want to go where they want to go. They're being poached for it-skilled people who can strengthen Denmark's digital development and ensure better protection against hacking attacks," says Laura Klitgaard, chairman of the engineers' association IDA.

Read also: To be educated to secure us against hacking attacks, criticism sounds: 'A complete blank in the head' ()

However, qualified young people are being rejected.

They would therefore have removed the educational cap, which was politically decided in 2021, and which results in fewer places in the four major cities. The young people are not looking for another IT education in the smaller towns.

This is also the opinion of Laura Klitgaard, who is chairman of the engineers' association IDA.

"It's a great thought (with the educational cap, red.), but the young people want to go where they want to go. And it's incredibly annoying that we don't give them more room there and make them move afterwards. We see that more and more," she says.

Also, a report from Rambøll, which came out in November 2023, concludes that half of all Danish private and public companies do not have the competencies to handle cyber attacks. This is supported by a report from the state's own IT council, which came out last month. It states that there is a lack of IT competencies in the public sector and that it is "a threat to our security."

Read also: The state lacks competent IT people, shows report: 'It threatens our security' ()

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There's room for more students

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Just at IT University this year, they have rejected around four percent more students than last year. That's about 1,500 hopeful young people. And among them are some who could have been admitted.

Study director Lene Rehder also estimates that the school on bachelor programs has the capacity to take on around 100 more.

"There's a big need for us to get more educated. We're not satisfied with the politically imposed educational cap. It's important that we quickly establish more study places as soon as possible," she says.

Also at Copenhagen Business Academy have they had to reject qualified young people.

"It's positive when young people read outside the four major cities. But we also think that education should be offered where the need is greatest, and where the young people actually want to learn. Otherwise, we'll end up with fewer IT specialists. And that doesn't benefit the province," says Mads Eriksen Storm, education and research policy chief at Danish Industry.

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'I have a responsibility to ensure balance'

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The industry and the education sector's concern can be understood by education and research minister Christina Egelund of the Moderates.

"I agree that IT-educated and IT specialists are absolutely crucial for many parts of our society. It's a serious problem that there's a labor shortage. And I also want more to be admitted to IT education," she says.

But she is not yet ready to remove the educational cap. Because there's also a lack of young people on welfare education, she says.

"I also have a responsibility to ensure a balance and not just look one place. We have many areas that lack manpower. And our problem is that we have very small youth cohorts in the coming years."

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