Learning a Living is a timely, engaging and original contribution to the debate over the relationship between education, innovation, work and the workforce. The acute concerns around rising unemployment, especially amongst the young (in the context of the global recession), have sharpened focus on how we prepare young people for the world of work. This authoritative overview of the major trends shaping education for work highlights fresh thinking and inspiring practice from around the world, and ways of encouraging the spread of such innovative practice. It is illustrated throughout with outstanding colour photography by leading photojournalist, Reza.

Initiatives covered include: Big Picture Learning, USA; Rising Sun Energy Centre, California, USA; La Bastilla Technical Agricultural School, Nicaragua; Lumiar Schools, Brazil; LOYAC, Kuwait; INJAZ, Morocco; Jordan Career Education Foundation (JCEF); Silver Human Resources Centre, Japan; South University of Science and technology of China (SUSTC); Infosys, India; BRAC, Bangladesh; Widows' Alliance Network (WANE), Ghana; Smallholders' Rural Radio, Nigeria; 2ie, Burkina Faso; Omnia, Finland.

Valerie Hannon is a Board Director of The Innovation Unit, a not-for-profit social enterprise, based in London. A former Director of Education in England, she is a specialist in innovation in education. She is a founder faculty member of the Global Education Leaders' Program, and has supported change programs in many jurisdictions. Valerie is a regular keynote speaker and facilitator at international conferences and workshops.

Sarah Gillinson is a Partner at The Innovation Unit, where she has led work on Radical Efficiency, a program that delivers different, better and lower cost public services. Sarah has formerly led work on the personalisation of learning for young people 'post-16', and the relationship between young people and the world of work.

Leonie Shanks is a Researcher and Project Coordinator at The Innovation Unit. She is the co-author of two Innovation Unit publications - 10 Schools for the 21st Century and 10 ideas for 21st Century Education, making the case for more innovative, responsive forms of education.

Reza is a Franco-Iranian photojournalist with vast international experience. He lives in Paris and has been traveling the world for 30 years, bearing witness to the struggles and the successes of all those whose paths he crosses on his journeys.