For many good and well-known reasons, it is now widely accepted that there is a need for more integrated concepts of learning (and studying) in the workplace. This article focuses on the notions and experiences gained from new educational programmes of work-based learning (WBL) in vocational education and training (VET) or--to be precise--work-based studying (WBS) in higher education (HE). In the context of the German education system, work-based learning in VET and HE seems to be the key for more and better permeability between VET and HE and for lifelong learning. WBS offers the opportunity to teach "employability" (one of the objectives of the Bologna process), as not only knowledge (and critical reflection on it) and skills are taught--as in lectures rooms--, but competence development takes place through "real social and communicative requirements" through the working environment. The article also examines how far the system has come and what still has to be done. (Contains 6 figures and 7 notes.)