A shortage of skilled workers has already begun to develop in certain regions and sectors which ‒ due to demographic trends ‒ could become more critical in the future. The articles in this issue of BWP present analyses and forecasts regarding training and skilled labour requirements at national and international level. They also point out how an imminent shortage of skilled labour could be countered via needs-oriented training for skilled workers in enterprises and via education and employment policy initiatives.
In his editorial, BIBB's new president Professor Dr Friedrich Hubert Esser emphasizes that ensuring a skilled workforce is the core mission of vocational education and training and cites four tasks that are to be found at the very top of the education policy agenda.
Other articles in this issue examine the influence that company size has on the search for a training place and the financial footing for continuing VET.