Suggests a re-interpretation of the cost-effectiveness notion, from the "lower the cost and increase effectiveness" to the more complex "costs must be lowered through diversification of sources and by stricter accountability, while effectiveness should not be limited to purely quantitative notions but must respond to both socio-cultural as well as labour market needs", looks at various alternatives aimed at improving cost-effectiveness in the light of the "equity" and "output" considerations for different target groups, concludes by focusing on the vectors which seem to converge to alter the field of education and training: the government, the production sector, and voluntary or non-governmental organizations