■ This article examines recent developments in social dialogue over
vocational training and lifelong learning. The central concern is how to develop
coherent European polices for increasing social partner influence in this
domain, given the diversity of national systems of VET and structures of social
dialogue across Europe. The study draws on a survey of 13 countries and
concludes that despite these disparities, cross-national differences in social
partner involvement are less than might be anticipated. Initiatives like the
social partners' Framework of Actions are seen as pressures promoting
convergence, but this is likely to occur paradoxically as a result of increasing
diversity within member states.