ABSTRACT
The digitalisation of work life is not new, and technical change has always been part of industrial development. However, artificial intelligence, big data, and the internet of things (industry 4.0) raise novel challenges – particularly for vocational education and training. This contribution raises first some new questions about education, such as whether machines will replace human work or enrich it. Second, reflections on learning affordances reveal that formal education and training can provide workers with the solid base they will need to cope with digital transformations of work. Finally, the chapter argues for the importance of informal learning settings (i.e., workplace learning). From an organisational point of view, the question arises how best to support workers for lifelong workplace learning. The main assumption is that Vocational Education and Training can provide only generic capacities, because developments are difficult to forecast, and the adoption of digital changes must be supported through workplace learning
