In this book the authors build upon their earlier Anglo-German comparative research and upon surveys in the former German Democratic Republic and the 'new L-nder' of Germany. Based on personal accounts of the education and work experiences of those who have lived through the political and labour market changes of the transition to a post-communist society, the book presents a challenging analysis of the impact on personal lives and careers, and assesses the wider policy implications. Far from catching up with the rest of Germany, social polarizations and erosion of the traditional dual system of vocational education and training in Eastern Germany may portend the future for the West. The issues raised have considerable resonances with the problems and contradictions which have beset British education, training and labour market policy over the past decade.

'The high-quality empirical and theoretically grounded comparative research developed in this excellent book is...timely in informing current academic and policy debate.' - Denis Gleeson, University of Warwick

Dedication
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Looking East
Perspectives, Plans and Methods
Systems Under Strain: Labour Market Conditions and Training Options
From 'Old' to 'New': Continuities and Discontinuities as Experienced by a Group of Trainers
Labour Market Structures and the Processes of Transition
Smooth Transitions: Young Adults' Experience of Vocational Education and Work Entry
Broken Transitions
Risky Voyages: Learning Experiences, Transition Behaviours and Career Outcomes
Navigating Change in Work and Education: Conclusions Relevant to Policy in Europe
Bibliography
Appendices
Index

KAREN EVANS is Chair in Education (Lifelong Learning) at the University of London Institute of Education. She is currently research director of further comparative studies of young adults in England and the new Germany as part of the Economic and Social Research Council's 'Youth Citizenship and Social Change Programme', 1998-2002.

MARTINA BEHRENS is Research Fellow at the University of Surrey. She has carried out international comparative studies on skill formation, social attitudes and life transitions in Germany and England.

JENS KALUZA is Research Fellow at the University of Surrey. He has conducted research into labour market and occupational changes in the new Länder, and comparative studies on youth transitions in Germany and England.