In alignment with one of the overall “hypothesis” within the TTPlus project of “the spread of the training function” each country selected three companies or organisations in which training takes place (van Elk, Leijen and Lam, 2007). Different methods for selection were used. Some countries chose for companies in one important sector (Greece, UK), another country for companies with the same training concept (Germany) and others chose the snowball effect: they selected companies they are already connected to their own institute or are connected to the connected companies etc. (the Netherlands, Portugal and Romania). In each selected company three or more interviews were held, with stakeholders (managers or persons responsible for training), trainers and when possible, with trainees. For all interviews, the same questionnaire was used. The questionnaire was divided into four main parts: One of the focuses for the research is about innovation and trends in training, and in the professional development of trainers (this will be looked at in more depth in the following section). The survey identified seven major trends: • Focus on training • Broader learning paths • Application of theory into practice • Mentoring • E-learning • Self-directed learning • Shorter, faster and more fixed training