By the year 2001 the European research on work-based learning was summarised by two major EU-projects: Work experience as educational strategy for the 21^st Century (WEX21C, see Griffiths & Guile 2004) and Work process knowledge network (WHOLE, see Fischer et. al. 2004). The proposed joint follow-up by Cedefop (see Kämäräinen et al. 2001) did not lead to major steps towards cross-fertilisation of the approaches. Thus, the conceptual divide between educational vs. organisational and occupational approach to learning through work experience characterised the products of the follow-up phase.

In the ECER-conferences after 2001 the topics ‘work-based learning’, ‘learning at workplace’ or ‘learning through work experience’ have been treated mainly by other authors and by new European projects (some of which have crossed the boundaries between vocational and higher education). Also, in the year 2008 a major international handbook was published on research in vocational education and training (Rauner & MacLean).

In the light of these later developments it is appropriate to explore the following questions:

1)      To what extent has the divide between ‘educational’ and ‘organisational/occupational’ approaches been reproduced in the later contributions and projects?

2)      To what extent have the later contributions and projects tried to overcome the barriers between different approaches?

3)      What kinds of conceptual implications has the divide had on curricular strategies for ‘integrated learning’ in vocational and higher education?

4)      To what extent does the international handbook cover the recent developments on work-based learning in vocational and higher education?

Background literature: Fischer, M., Boreham, N. & Nyhan, B: (2004): European perspectives on learning at work: the acquisition of work process knowledge. Cedefop Reference series 56; Luxembourg: Office for official publications of the European Communities. Griffiths, T. & Guile, D. (2004): Learning through work experience for the knowledge economy. Issues for educational research and policy. Cedefop Reference series 48; Luxembourg: Office for official publications of the European Communities. Kämäräinen, P., Boreham, N., Fischer, M., Griffiths, T. & Guile, D. (2001): Learning through work experience – Prospects for European knowledge development. Paper presentation. Proceedings on “Improving the Systems of VET”, IVETA World Conference 2001 Jamaica: Rauner, F. & MacLean R. (2008) Handbook of Technical and Vocational Education and Training Research. Springer Verlag. Final reports of the following completed EU-projects: WLP: European Synthesis Report of the Work & Learning Partners project. Bremen 2007 (Leonardo da Vinci) Euronet-PBL: Final report (public part) of the project Euronet-PBL: Education, Practice and Research. Bremen 2011. (Erasmus) Euronet-PBL: Comparative analyses of the development of practice-based learning. D10. Prepared by Pekka Kämäräinen. Bremen 2011. Coop-PBL in VET: Cooperation and Problem- & Project-Based Learning in Vocational Education and Training.; European Resource-Base. Forthcoming 2012. (Leonardo da Vinci) Proposals for the following new EU-projects WBL in HE: Detailed description of the project Work-Based Learning as an integrated curriculum. Leeds 2011 (Erasmus project 2011-2013) HAKA: Detailed description of the project Higher Apprenticeships and Knowledge Alliances for Europe. Bremen 2012 (Erasmus project 2012-2014). VETNET proceedings of the years 2001-2011. http://www.b.shuttle.de/wifo/vet/papers.htm