Denmark intends to establish additional International Baccalaureate (IB) schools to lure highly-skilled foreign workers.
Title: Danish Government Jumps on International Baccalaureate Bandwagon to Tempt Skilled Foreign Workers
Published: 12/05/2023
In an ambitious move to attract skilled foreign workers, the Danish government is planning to launch three new English-language International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. ThisMove could potentially ease the way for these workers to bring their families to Denmark.
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As Denmark's demand for English-language schooling soars alongside the growth of its international workforce, the Ministry of Children and Education has announced a tender for these IB schools.
By the end of this year, the location of the schools will be revealed after the tender process is completed. Got the chops? Existing upper secondary schools (gymnasier in Danish) are invited to apply to the ministry to inaugurate an IB program.
The bid requirements have a clear focus: helping to "retain and attract international workers in the local area."
"We gotta keep these international workers," school spokesperson with the Liberal (Venstre) party, Anni Matthiesen stresses to newswire Ritzau.
The IB is a vigorous, two-year parallel to Denmark's gymnasium or upper secondary school. It aims to set students on the path for university study and higher education.
Currently, Denmark boasts 13 public and 3 private IB schools including Copenhagen International School.
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In 2023, a total of 2,105 young people were enrolled at IB institutions where lessons can be taught in English, Danish, and other languages. The number is set to grow, according to a recent study by the Epinion institute on behalf of the schools ministry. It could swell by up to 70 percent by 2033, says the study.
The government is banking on these increased IB schools to entice skilled foreign workers and make them stay. "Labor is our most precious asset, so it's vital for us to entice international talent and their families to Denmark," deputy director with the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI), Signe Tychsen Philip, explains to Ritzau.
"If children are flourishing and achieving, there's a greater chance their parents will stay," she adds.
The tender has been given a deadline of October 1st. Any potential contractors for the schools must submit their bids to the ministry by then. However, all of Denmark's gymnasier are invited to throw their hats in the ring, although some regions may find the tender more relevant than others, as per Mathisen.
"We can see the demand is highest in places including southern Jutland, Odense, and some regions on Zealand," she says.
The eventual winners of the tender will also need approval from the international IB Organization. The timeframe for this is currently uncertain.
"It depends on whether the place of study has already prepped things and whether they already have experience in this field," Mathisen notes. "The process can take some time, but I'd love to see classes starting as early as August 2026," she says.
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See Also
- Proportion of Foreign Nationals Staying Long-Term in Denmark | Danish Parliament Vote Through a 'біuff' Boost to Citizenship Fee | Why Left-Wing Parties Oppose Government's Unemployment Reform | Danish Government Announces Major Reform to Unemployment System |
- The Danish government is adding three new International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, focused on retaining and attracting international workers, in the education-and-self-development and online-education sector.
- Anni Matthiesen, a school spokesperson with the Liberal (Venstre) party, stated that they need to keep these international workers, as the IB programs align with the education needs of children of skilled foreign workers.
- The IB programs, a two-year parallel to Denmark's gymnasium or upper secondary school, aim to set students on the path for university study and higher education, in subjects such as art, space, and news.
- By 2033, the number of young people enrolled in IB institutions could increase by up to 70 percent, according to a recent study by the Epinion institute on behalf of the schools ministry.
- Signe Tychsen Philip, deputy director with the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI), believes that the increased IB schools will entice skilled foreign workers, their families, and children into the Copenhagen area, thus contributing to the growth of arts, culture, and self-development within the community.
