Education and work are moving towards an open, but uncertain future. Research on vocational and continuing education constantly needs to reassure the conditions of educational systems, current concepts of VET and work, educational policies, and its own assumptions in ascertaining theory of VET. In this context, modernisation is a significant paradigm. It refers to new ideological, socio-economic, structural and institutional qualities. This volume analyses interdependencies and complexities of research, politics and practice of vocational, further and continuing education. With contributions from European VET researchers it assembles critical reflective, empirical, cross-cultural and historical perspectives. The volume discusses the dynamic changes of work and education both in regional and global labour markets. Central issues are transformations of vocational education and work, the impacts of gender, ethnicity, culture and globalization as well as the anticipation of possible futures of vocational education and work.

Gabriele Molzberger is a professor for vocational and continuing education and academic director of the Centre for Continuing Studies at Bergische University of Wuppertal. Her fields of research comprise: concepts of vocational education and informal learning; europeanisation of educational policies and continuing higher education. Manfred Wahle is a professor for vocational pedagogy at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany. His research interests include: the history of vocational education; theories and concepts of work, social change and its impact on vocational education; didactics of vocational education; professional competence of VET teachers; and evaluation of transnational projects in the field of vocational education and practice.

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