This unique international review of experience looks at the policies needed in both the private and the public sector for effective vocational education and training at all levels, from basic skills to continuing professional education. It goes on to examine the new roles of information and communication technologies, establishing what we know about their performance, and identifying the choices to be made in applying technologies to vocational education and training. The book will help senior institutional managers and policy makers to understand and appreciate: the role distance education can play in increasing skills levels in young people and the existing workforce; the potential advantages and disadvantages of using technology, and therefore make better-informed choices about technology use; and how to integrate distance education with traditional educational models and approaches.Conventional apprenticeships and older methods of professional training are not providing enough skilled workers - governments, companies and colleges are now using open and distance learning to fill these gaps. Published in association with the Commonwealth of Learning, this unique review provides detailed analysis of worldwide experiences of vocational training and distance education. It looks at recent policy and practice at different levels - from transnational programmes and national policies to institutional and programme models. Offering guidance on how distance education and new technologies are being used to support vocational education and training, this book will help senior institutional managers and policy makers to understand and appreciate: * the role distance education can play in increasing skills levels in young people and the existing workforce* the challenges in using educational technologies, and distance education to deliver vocational education and training* how to devise effective policies to meet these challenges.