Approaches and obstacles to the evaluation of investment in continuing vocational training : discussion and case studies from six member states of the European Union / Uwe Grünewald, ... [et.all]

The way in which the evaluation of investment in Continuing Vocational Training is undertaken whithin, between and across enterprises is becoming an increasingly important topic in an era when under-investment on a macro-scale is perceived as hindering economic performance. This report summarises and draws conclusions on six case studies that were undertaken on different aspects of this issue, in Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland and Italy. The studies examine a number of issues at the micro-, meso- and macro-levels including: the effects of training on enterprise productivity, some indications why enterprises chose to invest (or not) in training and some of the obstacles which exist in evaluating their investment. This report concludes with a discussion from a methodological and policy perspective on how to overcome a number of these difficulties and how future work might proceed.