The modern context of new systemic challenges is transforming the international agenda of vocational education and training system (VET) in terms of accessibility, expanding opportunities, and integration of adult learners into lifelong learning. Active modernization of the education system, taking into account the characteristics of the “adult learner”, their needs, goals and objectives predetermine the necessity to adapt the modern system to the new reality and interests of the new target group in terms of quality and content of programs, specifics and new teaching and learning approaches, transformation of social partnership and on-the-job training programs, development of new financial tools and VET efficiency assessment. The purpose of the article is to identify the current needs, and VET development trends in the context of adult education. The research results can be used in regard to the educational programs development taking into account the characteristics of the new target audience, the formation of mechanisms for the involvement of the adult learners into VET, the modernization of the national adult learning policy, as well as rethinking of new learning paradigm in general.