Ansgar Klinger Vocational Education and the Future of the Youth – a Key Task for the Trade Unions Vocational education is a key area for trade unions. The underlying basis for this is that education in general and vocational education in particular, have a decisive impact on people's life and professional perspective. Since trade unions are often organized according to sectors, that is, by professional field, e.g. metal and electric sector, the chemistry sector, etc., they have special powers and responsibilities for the vocations represented within those sectors. Employers are similarly organized in sectoral associations, e.g. metal and electric industries, chemical industry, etc., and they have particular knowledge and responsibilities for the vocations represented in their sectors. The crucial impulses to employees' living and working conditions are transmitted through their occupations and developments. Therefore youth vocational 46