Politics and Analysis
DA Welcomes Tripartite Agreement on Adult and Continuing Education
10. October 2023
Press Release
A tripartite agreement signed by the Danish Government, employers and trade unions on the 12th of September guarantees long-term investment and greater flexibility in the adult and continuing education (VEU) system.
After several years of delay, the Danish Government and the social partners (unions and employers) have reached a tripartite agreement on public-sector adult and continuing education (VEU). Hundreds of thousands of employees participate in these programmes every year.
The agreement provides stability and a sustainable financial framework for the VEU system by securing new investment and making permanent the temporary rate increase of approximately DKK 120 million. Public-sector funding for VEU will also increase permanently.
In addition, the agreement specifies a range of new initiatives that aim to deliver a more flexible and effective VEU system more closely aligned with the needs of the labour market.
Jacob Holbraad, Director-General of DA, is delighted with the agreement.
- An effective VEU system is crucial for employers, competitiveness and the Danish economy. To create jobs and generate growth, companies need staff with appropriate and up-to-date skills, so I am pleased with the tripartite agreement. It will ensure economic stability, deliver new initiatives and investment, and lay the foundations for a significant modernisation of public-sector adult and continuing education, including the labour market training courses for adults (AMU).
The Director-General of DA also praised the focus on digital learning.
- It is highly positive that the new agreement contains a national, strategic commitment to digital learning in the AMU system. We see significant potential for digitalisation and new technology in continuing education. This would make the VEU system more flexible and tailored to needs, which would benefit both companies and employees. Denmark has long lagged behind in this area, which is why a joint national effort to promote flexible and digital learning is essential, says Holbraad.
The agreement also contains a range of other important initiatives that the Director-General believes will encourage employers to make increased use of the adult and continuing education system. These include a review of the barriers to international employees’ ability to access training courses that provide recognised certification and qualifications, and the establishment of a DKK 100 million adjustment fund to reimburse employers for staff training costs.
The Director-General concluded by praising the announcement that accrued funds will be refunded to employers. For a number of years prior to 2017, companies were paying excess annual VEU contributions due to a significant accounting error by the government.
- I am delighted that employers are no longer being denied money that is rightfully theirs and will finally receive a total of DKK 213 million in 2023, he said.