People’s Festival 2023: The vocational training of the future in the Nordic Region

The Nordic governments have put the hunt for skilled labour high on the agenda. But young people’s voices are often drowned out in the political debate, even though they are an integral part of the equation.

Young people are influenced by the educational choices their peers. They also know what motivates them to persevere and finish their education or training. Young people play the main role in a new vocational training initiative launched by the Nordic Council of Ministers, in which youngsters people from all of the countries will discuss what matters to them in their choice of education and training and their motivation to see it through to the end.

We want to kick-start a debate with young people about the vocational training of the future. The Danish dropout rate from vocational training is 40%, almost three times as large as the corresponding rate for academic education. At the same time, the Nordic countries continue to face the challenge of reducing the number of young people not in education, training or work. 

• Louise Schack Elholm, Minister for Nordic Co-operation, Nordic Council of Ministers

• Karen Ellemann, Secretary General, Nordic Council of Ministers

• Emil Therkelsen, Danish Vocational and Technical School Students Union 

• Kjell-Arne Ottosson, Member of the Committee for Growth and Development, Nordic Council

• Rasmus Emborg, President, Nordic Youth Council

Moderator: André Jamholt, Senior Advisor, Nordic Council of Ministers/Nordic Council