A strong tradition for education and lifelong learning

At its core, the dairy industry has cows, milk, and talented people.

A key factor in terms of talent and learning in the dairy sector is to maintain a focus on education relevant to industry needs. Public research and education must target areas where companies require knowledge and skills. The dairy industry needs competencies across various disciplines, including science, humanities, and business, from craftsmen to highly specialized PhDs.

It is crucial that candidates possess a strong scientific foundation, combined with a well-developed understanding of how to translate science and expertise into business opportunities and growth.

Lifelong learning initiatives and continued competence-building are essential to ensure cutting-edge skills at all levels. Rapid technological advancements call for ongoing learning pathways and on-the-job training for employees at all levels.

The dairy-related education levels are described below.

The education is structured into four levels: Dairy Technologist, Dairy Technician, Master of Science in Dairy Science and Technology, and the PhD education.

Dairy Technologist

This education, established over 125 years ago, has incorporated work-based learning as an essential component from the very beginning.

It takes 37 months to become a Dairy Technologist, split between 55 weeks of theory at Kold College and internships at 1-2 companies within the dairy industry.

Kold College is a vocational institution offering both full-time programmes and shorter courses (locally and internationally) in dairy, gastronomy, catering, horticulture and agriculture. Additionally, Kold is the only dairy college in Scandinavia with a full-scale training dairy plant.

Key job functions for the Dairy Technologist include production, logistics, environmental management, hygiene and product quality.

Read more about Dairy Technologists (Danish only) »»

Dairy Technician

It takes 2 years to become a Dairy Technician (Official title: Academy Professions (AP) Degree in Process Engineering, Laboratory Engineering and Food Technology).

This program builds on the Dairy Technologist education and is also offered at Kold College.

Many Dairy Technicians work as project managers and coordinators, in product development, production management, and in technical sales and services.

Read more about the Dairy Technician education (Danish only) »»

Master in Dairy Science and Technology

The Master in Dairy Science and Technology is a 2-year research-based program offered at the University of Copenhagen.

The first cohort of Masters in Dairy Science and Technology were educated in 1921, and the programme is regularly updated in close collaboration with the industry.

All master courses are taught in English and include lectures, projects, teaching and practical experiments. The program concludes with a thesis, typically focusing on relevant industry-related subjects.

Read more about the Master in Dairy Science and technology »»