Gitte Christensen completes training as qualified pedagogical assistant in Thisted Municipality Denmark

Gitte Christensen has been working with children in institutions in Thisted Municipality since 2010, initially spending 11 years as an unqualified pedagogical assistant. Recently, she completed training to become a qualified pedagogical assistant. “What motivated me to pursue this education was to understand the theory behind what we do in practice,” she explained.

Christensen considered further studies to become a full-fledged educator but was deterred by the prospect of spending three and a half years in school with only a student grant. Instead, she opted for a 42-week program that allowed her to deepen her knowledge and skills in her field while maintaining her job security. She noted, “I could continue to earn a full salary and still know that I could return to my old job, which provided peace of mind.”

There are currently 3,217 pedagogical assistants employed across Denmark, marking a 52% increase since 2019. In Thisted Municipality alone, the number of pedagogical assistants has risen from 13 to 45 in five years, due in part to the municipality’s efforts to upskill unqualified assistants.

Christensen works at a nature kindergarten called Kronens Mark, where all staff members are either qualified educators or pedagogical assistants. “This shared background fosters a common understanding and language among us, allowing us to complement each other effectively,” she stated.

Signe Nielsen, chair of the National Organization of Parents, expressed appreciation for the trend of unqualified assistants transitioning into qualified roles, emphasizing the need for skilled staff in all institutions to enhance the quality of care provided. Children’s and Education Minister Mattias Tesfaye also supports the notion of pedagogical assistants as valuable supplements to trained educators and advocates for better opportunities for current staff to pursue further training.