Background information

COVID-19 causes great uncertainty among many Danish employees and companies. The Regional Labor Market Councils (RAR) and the Danish Agency for Labor Market and Recruitment (START) have therefore implemented this COVID-19 'Job-VET-model' for retaining employees through remote learning.

The remote learning programs provide companies with more opportunities to retain their own employees in a situation where many companies are experiencing a downturn in business. In addition, companies have the opportunity to compensate for wage losses through "VEU/SVU-allowance". In addition, there are opportunities to obtain grants from other sources, such as any competency funds, etc.

The model was first launched in the service, tourism, hotel and restoration industries, and then the construction and offshore industries were added. At the same time, several other industries are on their way to be included in the model.

Content of measure

The 'Job-VET-model' consists of four stages:

1. The needs of the labor market
2. Agreement between the social partners and specification of professional content
3. Preparation of project plan
4. Selection of education provider and online learning program

The model assumes that the social partners, educational institutions and The Danish Agency for Labour Market and Recruitment jointly put together a VET-program (online) that targets specific industries. For example, it may be competencies targeted to sales and service within the restaurant industry.

Companies receive up to 100% of their wage costs, while employees participate in distance education. The salary is covered by the "VEU-allowance" and may be supplemented by funds from the collective agreement on "Competence Fund".

Use of measure

Projects to mitigate the negative consequences of the COVID-19 crisis were not considered in the model from the start. Now they make up the largest project type (measured by number of students). Overall in 2020, there was registered to have been 275 completed projects with a total number of 10,781 course participants. And approximately every third Job-VET student last year participated in COVID-19 project. These projects have been developed and implemented in 2020 and are characterized by quick settlement due to the urgent need for companies.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Employees in standard employment Unemployed	Sector specific set of companies	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Social partners jointly Trade unions Employers' organisations Public employment service Public support service providers	Employers organisation National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Unknown	Unknown
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: Unknown

Involvement

n.a

Views and reactions

The model is jointly agreed between the social partners. The partners generally assess that the results are so far as positive as in the “classic” Job VET projects. It shows that the focal point of the model - job-oriented upskilling, which is rooted in the needs of the labor market - gives actors great flexibility while the positive results of the model are maintained.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 17 April 2020: Model med opkvalificering frem for afskedigelse udvides til flere brancher (bm.dk)
• 17 April 2020: Vejviser til COVID-19 Job-VEU modellen Job-VEU modellen (bm.dk)
• 17 April 2020: Kompetencefondene (www.kompetencefonde.dk)
• 17 April 2020: VEU-godtgørelse (www.borger.dk)
• 01 April 2021: Evaluering af job-VEU modellen (star.dk)