Current learning society discourse emphasises the importance of the learning process in contemporary Europe and Russia. Learning becomes a major factor of social structuring in contemporary societies. In contemporary Russia social inequality is caused to a great extent by the market economy and corresponding political conditions, however, it is also affected by a new cultural and social capital of qualified personnel, managerial staff and business executives. In order to understand the growing role of educational potential for social stratification it is necessary to examine the development of the system of education and learning processes in Russia. There are two developments that need examined: ‘continuing education’ and ‘lifelong learning’. The terms most frequently used within the Russian literature is the continuing vocational training, work-place training or continuing vocational education. The huge social changes in Russia demand new qualification and competences from human resources. Continuing vocational training fills a gap in qualified personnel. Lifelong learning does not exist as a functioning system but only as sum of different elements. Both support new tendencies in an educational activity of Russian people in search of professional career, economical success and social mobility. This paper will explore the implications of these changes in Russia in relation to the development of vocational training and workplace learning.