Goethe-Zentrum had the privilege of hosting a high-level Danish ministerial delegation to discuss our initiatives in promoting German language learning as a solution to the skilled workforce shortage in Germany.
The delegation included Mr. Emil Støvring Lauritsen, SSC Counsellor at the Embassy of Denmark, and Mr. Espen Krogh, Senior Advisor at the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Representing the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science was Ms. Astrid Fogh Harboe, Senior Advisor. The healthcare and education sectors were represented by Ms. Helle Sloth, Head of Development at SOSU H (Social, Health, and Child Care College, Capital Region), and Mr. Kim Sloth from SOSU (Social, Health, and Child Care College, Esbjerg).
Addressing Denmark’s senior citizen and recruitment policies, the delegation included Mr. Jens Ulrik Saurbrey Karle, Head of Section at the Danish Ministry of Senior Citizens, and Mr. Jørn John Frederiksen, Chief Advisor at the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration.
The delegation also featured healthcare leaders Ms. Helene Bliddal Døssing, Deputy Chief Executive at Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, and Ms. Charlotte Akerstrøm Poulsen, Project Manager at the same institution. Additionally, Ms. Christian Vestergaard Sloth, Head of Unit at the Danish Agency of Education and Quality, and Ms. Trine Bolwijn, Senior Advisor at KL - Local Government Denmark, contributed insights from the education and governance sectors.
Their visit focused on understanding how structured language training can facilitate international workforce mobility. Recognizing Denmark’s similar challenges, particularly in the healthcare sector, discussions explored potential collaborations with Kerala to train skilled professionals in the Danish language to support their recruitment into Denmark’s workforce.
