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This chapter contributes to an examination of the politics of lifelong learning from the perspective of societies in the process of major political change. The reunification of Germany has resulted in major restructuring within all sectors of society in the East German state and, as an outcome of this process, mass unemployment. This chapter examines the implications of the reunification process for lifelong learning opportunities through an analysis of recent education and training policies designed to lower unemployment in Germany. Vocational continuing education is perceived to be of key importance to the labour market and economic development of the Neue Bundeslander (former German Democratic Republic) and Germany in general. Using the example of the Hanseatic city of Rostock, the author describes the development of post-unification vocational training measures which have been funded by the government and European grants. It is concluded that continuing vocational education supported by extra funding can alleviate the problems created by restructuring but that education and training measures alone are not the solution to unemployment. A number of issues for consideration when developing policy are drawn from the German experience.