The Danish Centre for the Development of Vocational Education and Training, (NCE) was established in 1969 and has for almost 40 years delivered training services to Danish vocational schools and labour market training centres. During the last approx. 20 years, NCE has been involved in a wide range of international activities. Our core activity is continuing professional development (CPD) and other types of competence development in the shape of teacher training, implementation of VET reforms, policy studies etc. In the following, these activities will be described on a more detailed level.
NCE plays a central role in the interaction between the Ministry of Education and social partners and the public authorities at a national level and the vocational schools, labour market training centres and enterprises on the local level. This unique position in the Danish education system enables NCE to make vital contributions to the identification of new skills requirements and subsequently update educational programmes and teacher training accordingly. In January 2008, NCE became a part of the Metropol University College - a merger of thirteen existing educational institutions. The merger comprises close to 10.000 full and part-time students and 950 faculty members and administrative staff. The Metropol University College brings together professional expertise from all relevant sectors of the modern welfare state, including health, nutrition, public management, social work, public administration and taxation as well as education.
NCE is a nationwide institution with three regional departments in Copenhagen, Odense and Aarhus and an educational department (incl. the international secretariat) situated at the HQ of Copenhagen. NCE has a staff of 60 employees mainly composed of consultants, educators and technical-administrative employees. The R&D experts and educators all have a university qualification in education, psychology or social sciences – combined with a comprehensive expert knowledge of the theory and practice of vocational pedagogics.
Generally, NCE provides a wide range of services and activities within the field of vocational education and training (VET) both on a national and an international level. The activities comprise:
