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This article describes the vocational education and training (VET) system in Slovenia, which is currently in the process of intensive change and adjustment to new economic and social conditions. The author believes that the existing education system in Slovenia fails to meet the needs of a major proportion of the society it serves. The main aim of the present reform is to relieve the state of its dominant role in the VET system. Also, to continue the gradual implementation of the an extended period of compulsory education, moving from eight to nine years. The implementations of the nine-year basic education system began in the 1999/2000 school years. It is hoped that this implementation will bring Slovenia into line with other European countries where education is compulsory until the age of 16, 17 or 18. At the same time, there would be a much lower number of newly employed workers lacking in basic vocational education. It is hoped that Slovenia’s VET system would meet several requirements: the highest possible level of basic knowledge that would allow effective employment; clear identification with one’s occupation; encouragement of autonomy as well as the ability to work in a group; study of foreign languages; necessary skills for independent work and the development of private initiative; and the incorporation of the working environment into the educational process. This article is an examination of what has been accomplished so far. Show less