International students want to work in Denmark’s water sector – and Danish companies want to hire them. A new study reveals that bridging the gap is less about motivation and more about creating clearer pathways.
Denmark is a global frontrunner in water technology, sustainable solutions, and climate adaptation. This position has been built over decades through innovation, specialization, and high standards. Yet at a time when climate change is accelerating worldwide, and the demand for new solutions is growing, the water sector faces a critical challenge: a shortage of qualified labour.
At the same time, hundreds of international students come to Denmark every year to pursue degrees in environmental technology, engineering, and natural sciences – many with a genuine wish to stay and contribute to the country’s green transition. Nevertheless, far too few find their way into the Danish water sector.
A new study conducted by anthropology students from Aarhus University sheds light on this paradox and points to one overarching conclusion: Potential international talents and Danish companies essentially want one another, but do not always meet.
“International students are a crucial part of the future workforce in the Danish water sector. If we want to remain and strengthen our position as global frontrunner, we need to understand what motivates them and how we create clear pathways into the industry. That’s why the insights from the anthropology students at Aarhus University are so valuable – they give us a concrete starting point for turning interest into recruitment.”
– Michael Ramlau Hansen, Chairman, DI Water
The international students participating in the study point to several reasons why Denmark is an attractive place to start their careers. The desire to work on something that makes a real difference is a central motivation among the students. Many describe a strong commitment to contributing to climate and environmental solutions, and they see the water sector as a field where daily work directly improves quality of life and addresses global challenges. This makes Denmark particularly appealing to students driven by a strong sense of purpose.
For others, the attraction lies in the high level of expertise and technologically advanced solutions that characterize the Danish water sector. They experience work in Denmark as offering a unique combination of innovation, complexity, and creative problem-solving, allowing room for both specialization and professional development. Denmark is perceived as a place where engineers and other specialists can explore new technologies while working closely with their professional passions.
In addition, many international candidates highlight the Danish working-life framework as a key reason for wanting to establish themselves here. Security, flexibility, work–life balance, and the opportunity to build a family life play a significant role. The combination of a high quality of life and a labour market that values well-being makes Denmark an attractive country to settle down.
One of the students very clearly describes the appeal of Danish workplace culture as:
“An open environment where you can share your ideas and be productive, while still maintaining a good balance between work and personal life.”
– International student participating in the study
Companies participating in the study express a clear interest in recruiting more international employees. They emphasize that global profiles bring new perspectives, insights into foreign markets, and professional diversity, all of which can strengthen innovation and competitiveness. International employees are not seen as a compromise, but as a strategic resource.
Nevertheless, companies experience practical and cultural challenges that make recruitment more difficult in practice. Much recruitment takes place through existing networks, which can unintentionally make the sector hard to access for those without established connections. Language also plays an important role. Even though many companies operate globally, informal communication often takes place in Danish, which can make it harder for international employees to become a natural part of both social and professional communities.
Companies also point to uncertainty around residence regulations and the long-term availability of international employees. Even when candidates are highly qualified, companies may hesitate if they are unsure whether the employee will be able to stay in the country long term. At the same time, many companies call for better tools to handle pre-boarding and on-boarding; several highlights that support with housing, public registration, and introduction to company culture are often crucial for whether an international employee settles in successfully.
When comparing the experiences of international students with the perspectives of Danish companies, an interesting pattern emerges. Both parties want the same thing, but they do not always operate within the same reality. International students seek clarity, access to networks, and visibility of opportunities. Companies want committed employees who are both able and willing to invest in the company and in Denmark.
Their expectations are, in fact, compatible. International candidates are highly motivated, but they often lack information and entry points. Companies are interested but lack frameworks that make the process easier. Thus, this is not a conflict of values – but a coordination challenge that can be solved.
The studies indicate increased visibility, improved introduction programmes, and more explicit recognition of the importance of social and linguistic communities as key pathways to stronger recruitment and retention.
For international students, student jobs and internships are a crucial gateway to opportunities. They clearly describe how encounters with Danish workplaces help them understand their own opportunities and motivate them to stay in the workplace and in Denmark. The lack of such entry points makes it harder for them to envision a future in the sector.
Companies that invest in structured onboarding, buddy schemes, and early expectation alignment experience significantly better integration. Many international employees emphasize that good onboarding creates the calm and security needed to engage both professionally and socially. Support during pre-boarding, such as help with housing, public registrations, or local practical matters, makes a substantial difference during the first months in Denmark.
At the same time, language plays a crucial role. This is not about everyone speaking Danish from day one, but about creating environments where international employees can be part of the community while learning the language at a realistic pace. Companies that actively work with linguistic inclusion and cultural translation are stronger in both recruitment and retention.
International students already in Denmark represent a significant talent pool for the Danish water sector. Many are highly motivated to contribute to climate and environmental solutions and see Denmark as an attractive place to build their careers. At the same time, companies recognize the value that international employees can bring in terms of new perspectives, international outlook, and professional diversity.
Yet the connection between these two groups does not necessarily happen automatically. More transparent entry points into the sector – such as student jobs, internships, stronger onboarding structures, and greater visibility of career opportunities – can help bring international graduates and Danish companies closer together at an earlier stage. If more of the international talent already present in Denmark finds its way into the water sector, it will not only help address the present and future labour shortages. It will also bring new perspectives, fresh ideas, and stronger solutions – and ultimately, contribute to an even more innovative, resilient, and competitive water ecosystem that will further strengthening Denmark’s position as a global frontrunner within water technology in the future.
1. Make career pathways visible to international students
Communicate more broadly about job and career opportunities – also during studies – and be present at career fairs with English-language material. Many students lack insight into what the sector has to offer, and more transparent communication can open the door for many more.
2. Create more student jobs and internships
Student jobs are often the key to providing international students with their first experience in Danish workplaces. They serve as a concrete entry point to the sector and are crucial for both networking and retention.
3. Strengthen pre-boarding and practical support before arrival
Help with housing, banking, tax, CPR registration, and other necessary systems can be the difference between a secure start and a chaotic beginning in Denmark. Companies that take this seriously experience much smoother integration.
4. Offer structured and personal onboarding
A well-planned introduction creates calmness, clarity, and a sense of belonging. International employees emphasize the importance of buddy schemes, clear plans for the first weeks, and opportunities to understand the organization, its culture, and expectations.
5. Actively work with linguistic and cultural inclusion
International employees don’t need to speak Danish from the start, but it is essential that they feel welcome. Combining English as a common working language initially with a gradual, company-supported introduction to Danish creates stronger communities and better retention.
6. Invest in international communities and networks
Social relationships outside the workplace are crucial for whether international employees feel at home. Companies can support this by introducing employees to local networks, creating internal social activities, and making everyday life in Denmark easier to navigate.
7. Communicate the company’s purpose and culture clearly
International employees are highly motivated by a sense of meaning and purpose. When companies communicate how their solutions contribute to global sustainability, it creates a strong sense of connection – both professionally and personally.
The project is part of the Danish Lighthouse for Water Technology and is realized with support from the European Social Fund Plus and the Danish Board of Business Development. The initiative is implemented in collaboration between Klimatorium, Ferskvandscenteret, DTU Sustain, Water Valley Denmark, and Business Hub Midtjylland.
