Most of the resources for teacher development have been allocated to preservice education, and this is the phase that is most intensely debated within countries. In a number of countries, the initial qualification that teachers earn is a key determinant of their career path. However, given the rapid changes in education, the potentially long careers that many teachers have, and the need for updating skills, teachers' development must be viewed in terms of lifelong learning, with initial teacher education conceived as providing the foundation for ongoing learning, rather than producing ready-made professionals.