SUMMARY
In this article, the authors present a theoretical approach to the profession, professionalization and professionalism of those employed in Continuing Vocational Education and Training. Following a review of the different real ities found in Europe, and after relating these to existing requirements for access to employment and trai ning, competences, identity, development and professional development, we have reached a set of conclusions and formulated a number ofrelated proposals. In today’s Europe, Continuing Vocational Education and Training is essentially seen as a form of semi-professional training, which requires officially recognised instruction within the scope of the European Higher Education Framework. To achieve this, we propose a form of training based onadult education, andragogy and a combination of theory and professional practice. Calling for these professionals to receive specialised traini ng is a response to the need, which has been expressed in various specialised forums, to establ ish a specific professional identity. We support the conception of this profession as an activity that offers a training service with a number of clear professional benefits. Amongst others, these include: adherence to a set of knowledge and collective rules that constitute a professional identity; the sense of belonging to a group; a quality professional task; levels of qualification, offi cial certification and accreditation to recruit professional competences; and prevent intrusion in the labour market