Central results of the sector studies on the metalworking and food industries

This contribution describes the central results of two sector studies on quality management and qualification needs in metalworking and food-processing SMEs in seven partner countries of the European Union between December 1995 and November 1997. These studies are based on expert interviews in the companies which have been evaluated in case studies on individual companies and with quantitative and qualitative methods at a sectoral level. The surveys and analyses were conducted by a research network with the aim of working out recommendations for the innovation of vocational training in Europe.