In the Netherlands, 15 to 17.5 percent of the working age population participated in further education and training for adults in 1985-88. Enterprises, state ministries, and private institutions supply adult education; enterprises, ministries, and sectoral institutions finance it. The Ministry of Education and Sciences provides basic education, part-time general education, vocational education, and higher education. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment provides training for information and automation jobs, a framework scheme (in which local authorities subsidize training costs for those certain to be employed), adult education, the dual system, centers for training, and centers at a lower educational level. Private industries offer correspondence courses, nonformal oral education, and enterprise-based training. Enterprises offer training for their own personnel. The government policy concerning adult education is intended to create an open system of education and training. State-endowed institutions can offer training to the private sector, social organizations, and individuals on a self-supporting basis. The Netherlands is promoting a more market-oriented approach to vocational education through involvement of employers and trade unions and contract education. Trends include increased participation of the unemployed and increased government involvement in employee training. Political and economic factors influence adult education provision and participation. (Four appendixes provide statistical information.) (YLB)