Training and studies in two countries

At school, during vocational training or at university, experience from a neighbouring country is ever more important. Project weeks, internships or exchange semesters between Schleswig-Holstein and Denmark boost young people’s cultural and language skills. They provide the foundation for the continued integration of the educational and labour market, which can foster economic development in the Fehmarnbelt region. 

Two countries – one education  

A German Act on Vocational Education (Berufsbildungsgesetz) from 2005 recognises educational courses abroad as an equally important part of vocational training. This means that students and apprentices can spend up to a quarter of their education or apprenticeship abroad. Over the past years, Europe has grown ever closer and those involved in the Danish and German labour markets are working to ensure that students studying for professional qualifications can take extended periods of training abroad.

The Job Centre in Lübeck, the Chamber of Skilled Crafts in Lübeck and the Chamber of Commerce of Lübeck, in partnership with the Danish Centre for Vocational Education Lolland Falster (CELF), are enabling students and apprentices from the Fehmarnbelt region to pursue Danish-German vocational training with participating companies. The first exchange programme between students from Lolland and East Holstein took place in 2012.

See CELF's video on training abroad here.

Improved commuting opportunities

Learning a language has always expanded human horizons. Proficiency in Danish and German increases cross-border labour market opportunities in the Fehmarnbelt region.  The Fehmarnbelt tunnel will make it less time-consuming to commute to work and studies. The inhabitants of the region - both young people and adults – will thus be able to settle more easily when they are no longer forced to leave an area to study or find a job. 

Enhanced regional competition 

Cross-border vocational courses also make it possible to create partnerships between companies in Denmark and Germany. In the long-term, they create the basis for a coherent labour market in the Danish-German growth region around the Fehmarnbelt.