CEDEFOP, the European agency responsible for research and informing policy for vocational training, has been researching into funding for vocational training in its member countries for the past 3 years. The results of the exercise are a series of 'portraits' of the state of vocational education and training in each country. The reports document the historical background to vocational training provision and funding, and describe the situation at present.

Reports have been published for Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK, with six more to follow.

The UK 'portrait' reports that the structure of the publicly funded training system within the UK has altered significantly over recent years, partly due to the need to increase participation in training without compromising quality and value for money.

As such, the report provides some informative statistics on funding levels and is a useful guide to the way training is financed in the UK.