This volume presents the results of a seminar sponsored by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the U.S. Department of Education on the changing role of vocational education and training in Europe. The theme of the seminar--linkages between general and vocational training--represents a central concern of national policies as they redefine the role and position of vocational education and training in meeting new economic needs in ways that are educationally sound and, at the same time, satisfy the aspirations of young people. The general conclusion is that an essential requirement for any progress toward improving the effectiveness of vocational education and training is to raise its status and prestige in order to match those attached to more academically oriented education. In practice this means breaking down traditional separations between the two systems by reinforcing the educational component of vocational education and training while introducing more applied learning in general education. The book discusses these themes in the following eight chapters: "The Context and Rationale for the Reform of Vocational and Technical Education" (McFarland, Vickers); "The Political Challenge of Reforming Vocational and Technical Education: A Case Study from the United States" (Brand); "Tech Prep Education: An American Innovation--Linking High Schools and Community Colleges" (Warnat); "Compulsory Education and What Then?--Signals, Choices, Pathways" (Raffe); "Learning and Work: The Research Base" (Raizen); The Role of Employers and Unions in Facilitating the Transition to Employment and Further Learning" (Sako); "Policy Integration and Cooperation: A Persistent Challenge" (Drake); and "Linkages: A New Vision for Vocational and Technical Education" (Papadopoulos). Each chapter contains references. (KC)