The practice of employment-oriented local economic development in the UK is thus characterised by diversity arising from the differing perspectives on the nature of the problems to be addressed. We have examined these different perspectives and their implications for the education and training of those who are professional practitioners. Such diversity has been problematic in the past, but its resolution probably lies in the acceptance and valuing of diversity rather than in attempts to impose a unitary view of the occupation.
It may be the case that such activity has a different character in other countries and regions within the European Union. Moreover, our study has been of employment-oriented local economic development within an urban context. It seems likely that a more rural context will generate different issues, and so a different approach to practice. Given the importance of employment to the prospects of economic, social and political stability in Europe, there is clearly scope for comparing the practices and approaches in such different contexts.