Vocational training (VT) programs in Latin America prepare workers to perform middle-level occupations or jobs. VT in Latin America is characterized by the existence of solid and autonomous national institutes linked to the logic of economic production, funded through a payroll levy grant, counting on a tripartite board, and related to ministries of labor. Public and private agencies also dispense VT. In some countries, one institution is responsible for all sectors of the economy. In others, the institutions are divided into three traditional sectors, or specific sectoral institutions appear. VT is a component of production and education processes. A parallel effort to restructuring the global economy of problems should be considered by policymakers, not just a study of short-term social aspects. Vocational training institutes (VTIs) respond to economic challenges by participating in institutional organization. Large firms generally do their own training, so VTIs can concentrate their efforts on small and medium-sized firms. VTIs have developed operational and methodological alternatives and instruments, such as apprenticeships, the German Dual System, distant training, and attention to the informal sector. More diverse funding alternatives should be examined to attend to the wide spectrum of responsibilities and activities. (NLA)