Last month kicked off preparations for the seventh International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VII), which will take place in Morocco in 2022.

Skills and training are key issues to improve local development, in the academic debate as well as in policy practice. This Special Issue focusses on vocational and professional education and training. These are activities relevant for business. They comprise technical and organisational skills and routines, social and self-competencies relevant to accomplish daily work tasks, and professional attitudes relevant for companies. Universities as sites of professional education play a role, as well as vocational schools and further public and private bodies.