A Formação e os Seus Propósitos (OIT Definition)

1) Training is not an end in itself, but a means of developing a person's occupational capacities, due account being taken of the employment opportunities, and of enabling him to use his abilities to the greatest advantage of himself and the community; it should be designed to develop personality, particularly where young persons are concerned.
(2) Training is a single whole characterised by the interdependence of its various parts.
(3) Training is a process continuing throughout the working life of the individual according to his needs as an individual and as a member of the community.
(4) Training should be free from any form of discrimination on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin.
(5) Training requires the continuous co-operation of all the bodies and persons concerned with any aspect of it, to prepare or retrain any person for initial or later employment or promotion in any branch of economic activity, including such general, vocational and technical education as may be necessary to that end.