Over the coming years, large cohorts will leave the labor market, while smaller cohorts will enter, and we will see a decline in the number of people entering vocational education. This means that the competition for skilled workers will become even greater, and we must be careful of those who choose to go that route.

Therefore, there is good reason why companies in Billund Municipality are interested in training, attracting and retaining young employees.

It's not just about getting young people in the door. It's also about the framework they have during their education, and apprenticeships play a big role here. Young people need to build social relationships across the board and see the opportunities in our area.

A community with other young people

Billund Erhverv started the Apprentice and Student Network in January 2025. Today, more than 140 apprentices and students are involved, and 20 companies and partners support the network.

In the network, young people meet across companies, industries and education levels. They participate in various professional and social activities, visit local companies and meet other young people who are also in vocational training.

This can be particularly important when, as an apprentice or student, you do not have many peers at your own workplace:

"I think it means a lot for young people to meet others in the same situation and get a network across companies. There may be a slight age difference between an apprentice and the rest of the workplace, so the social community is important,” says Sine Hedeby Sørensen, sustainability coordinator at ANMASI A/S.

At IFF, they also experience that the community across companies provides something that the individual workplace cannot create alone:

"They are shaken together across companies and educations, and it gives both self-confidence and new relationships. We can clearly see that the network strengthens both the well-being and development of our apprentices,” says Thomas Jensen, operational manager at IFF.

Several analyses emphasize the importance of working actively with the well-being and communities of young people when it comes to retaining young people both in education and in the apprenticeship. The individual company can do a lot for its apprentices and students, but a community with peers and across companies and professions is impossible to create alone. That is why the Apprentice and Student Network can do something special.

"The Apprentice and Student Network has been a fantastic experience. Not only because we have gone behind the scenes at exciting companies, but also because it is fun to meet other apprentices and students, so you can start creating your own network in the Billund area,” says Nicklas V. Misser, a former apprentice at Scandinavian Avionics A/S.

The companies meet twice a year

The Apprentice and Student Network is not just about activities for young people. It is also about bringing companies together on the issues that come with having young employees.

Twice a year, the companies meet on themes such as: young people in the workplace og management og retention of young employees.

Companies with apprentices and students can become part of the network and give their young employees access to the approximately 10 annual professional and social activities.

But companies can also join, even if there are no apprentices or students today. As a supporting member, the company supports the network and has the opportunity to participate in the two annual company meetings with a focus on young employees.

Creating a good framework for the next generation of employees is a shared task. The more companies that participate, the stronger the community we can create for our apprentices and students across companies in Billund Municipality, and we can show that the business community across the Municipality stands together to strengthen well-being and give our young people the best framework for community.

Should your apprentices or students participate?

Or would you like to hear more about the possibility of becoming a supporting member? Contact business coordinator Marianne Karlskov Thomsen at mkt@billunderhverv.dkOr you can read more about The Apprentice and Student Network here.