Education
The members of the Danish Union of Journalists have studied at many different institutions. In general, journalists graduate from three different institutions of which two are universities and the third a professional bachelor programme The degree programmes take between four and six years and all involve a period of work experience of 12–18 months. The Danish Union of Journalists has a say in all three journalism degree programmes and is represented on the board of the largest of the institutions, The Danish School of Media and Journalism in Aarhus.
The Danish Union of Journalists also has members from other parts of the Danish education system. As an example, many members have graduated from universities with a degree in communication, political science or an arts subject. We also have many members from graphic design colleges or the Danish Design School. To this should be added photographers who have completed an apprenticeship or specialised photography programmes in different parts of the country.
It is a common feature for all the programmes that the Danish Union of Journalists tries to exert influence to ensure that future members of the union working in the media and communication industry become as well equipped as possible for professional challenges in their particular job markets. This is one of the reasons why the Danish Union of Journalists has drafted a work experience agreement for journalists and must approve companies that employ photography apprentices.
Further and continuing education is a key area of the Danish Union of Journalists’ work for its members. Through further and continuing education, the members get an opportunity to improve their qualifications or learn the necessary skills to diversify in their working life. Life-long learning is therefore the focus of attention whenever members of the Danish Union of Journalists allocate money under collective agreements or other contracts to different further education schemes that allow members to improve their knowledge. In the field of further education, the Danish Union of Journalists shares a unique relationship with media employers and together they provide funds for UPDATE – the Danish Journalism Development Institute , which is the key provider of further and continuing education in the field.
Assistance to foreign journalists:
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