The special focus of this issue is on learning in the work process. The eight articles in issue 2/2008 assess current knowledge and use a variety of examples to illustrate the experience being gathered in pilot projects conducted in firms that provide in-company vocational training - with respect to not only initial in-company vocational training but also to continuing and further training. In his commentary "Learning in the work process - Often demanded, seldom fostered!?", Manfred Kremer, president of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), advocates putting the edge that German enterprises and education providers have due to their experience with 'dual' vocational training (which combines part-time vocational school with practical work experience) to greater use when implementing concepts for learning that is integrated into actual work processes in European contexts too. Other topics covered by issue 2/2008 include the question of skills and competences that offer long-term employment potential, the aims and emphasis of the European Union's Grundtvig programme and a contribution to the discussion on the challenges arising in connection with defining concrete terms for a German qualifications framework.