Which policies aimed at expanding access to collective skill formation systems receive political support and which ones are likely to be successful? This chapter answers this question by analysing social inclusion policies which were implemented successfully and policies that were proposed, debated but ultimately quashed in Austria and Germany since the 1990s. By theorizing and scrutinizing empirically the preference formation process of trade unions, firms, employers’ organizations, and governments, we shed light on the multi-faceted and variable coalitional politics of socially inclusive measures and draw four conclusions. First, coalitions in favour or against inclusive measures can feature both class conflict and cross-class coalitions. Second, left-leaning governments and unions are most likely to show first-order preferences towards inclusive measures. Third, inclusive measures are politically most feasible when they do not impinge on the efficiency and control dimension. Finally, governments can soften employers’ stance towards socially inclusive measures by granting them more control over the administration of the measures. In sum, the findings highlight the political constraints towards fostering social inclusion through vocational training in the knowledge economy and show how governments can overcome them. © Oxford University Press 2022.
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