As governments, companies and individuals come to recognize the contribution of learning to economic success and competitiveness, HE institutions are under increasing pressure to increase access to a larger number and a greater variety of students. Today, rapid technological development means that knowledge is soon outdated and employees need to enhance their attractiveness through periodic self-development. In order to remain competitive employers need to update the skills of their workforce,

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... s does the nation state. In recent years many publications have argued the need to replace traditional patterns of education with the more flexible concept of Lifelong Learning (HMSO, 1998; DfEE, 1998a).DOI: 10.1080/0968776000080104