There is a strong relation between work and education in modern societies. On the one hand education is needed as a basic qualification for work and contributes fundamentally to the integration of individuals into the labour market and society. On the other hand the potential of learning in the working process is highlighted, for instance in the recent debates about informal learning or employability.

This volume contains papers delivered at the conference Work, Education and Employability which took place in Ascona in December 2006. The contributions offer different perspectives on the theoretical and historical impacts of the relation between work and education. They also provide analyses of recent developments in the field.