A collection of pipers, Peter Raggatt and Lorna Unwin; developing standards, Graham Debling; competence and higher education - implications for institutions and professional bodies, John Burke; serving the needs of industry?, Richard Guy; quality assurance and NVQs, Peter Raggatt; meeting the needs of a Global Society - vocational education and training in the United States of America, Lorna Unwin; co-operation, co- ordination and quality in employer and educational partnerships - a role for the regions, Ian McNay; winners and losers - the education and training of adults, Richard Edwards; out of the adult hut - institutionalization, individuality and new values in the education of adults, John Field; conditions for learner autonomy at a distance, Lewis Elton; changes in funding - a college response, Keith Cook and Geoff crook; a case study of Courtaulds Grafil Ltd - NVQs and the man-made fibres industry, Lorna Unwin; improvements in workforce qualifications - Britain and France 1979-88, Hilary Steedman.