Fewer people are seeking to become nurses - the development surprises the minister

In six of the country's professional high schools, there has been a general decline in the number of applicants for the four major welfare-related programs - teacher, nurse, social worker, and social counselor.

This is stated by the organization Danish Professional High Schools in a press release.

Overall, the four programs have declined by two percent compared to last year. This covers both applicants through Quota 1 and Quota 2.

For the social worker and nurse programs, the number of applicants has fallen by respectively two and eight percent.

On the other hand, the teacher and educator programs have increased slightly by respectively one and four percent.

Education and Research Minister Christina Egelund (M) is particularly concerned about the declining number of applicants for the nurse program, which she calls surprising.

- My guess would be that when young people apply for an education, they look at various parameters such as study environment and professionalism. But they certainly also look at what kind of work life awaits them.

- However, I expect that when you look a few years into the future, the trend for these welfare-related programs will be reversed. This also applies to the nurse program.

The deadline for applications for further education through Quota 1 was at noon on Saturday.

Quota 1 applicants are exclusively admitted based on average grades.

In March, the deadline for applications through Quota 2 was, which, in addition to average grades, is evaluated based on various academic and general activities.

Denmark, according to Camilla Wang, chairperson of Danish Professional High Schools, is facing a longer-term challenge with declining interest in the four major welfare-related programs.

- It's concerning, but not unexpected, she says in the statement.

Despite the development, Camilla Wang remains optimistic.

She refers to a political agreement from the spring about investing in education at professional high schools.

Overall, nearly two billion kroner is prioritized for the reform, which is expected to be fully implemented by 2032.

The reform includes, among other things, shortening some of the professional programs by three months.

At the same time, students can look forward to more weekly hours on smaller teams and more guidance and feedback.

- It takes time, but we believe that it will make a difference - both for the students and for society, which needs skilled professional workers in the welfare sector and the business world.

- However, it will be a long, slow process if the development is to be reversed. Not least because we must also take into account that youth education will also become smaller, it sounds from Camilla Wang in the statement.

The four major welfare-related programs have been affected by declining applicant numbers since 2020.

Applicants will receive notification of acceptance into the programs on July 28.

/ritzau/

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