ABSTRACT
Debates about the purposes of education and training are currently framed around the necessity of equipping people for lifelong learning and of building a ‘learning society’, primarily in order to improve international competitiveness (European Commission, 1995). Interest has focused on whether it is possible to build up the core skills of individuals such that they can be effective and continuing participants in a ‘learning society’. However, it is worth while reflecting on the meaning of ‘core skills’ when used in this way, as the term has been used in a variety of ways in different contexts over the last 20 years.
