This study examines how upper secondary school vocational education prepares students for future industrial work in six municipalities in Sweden. The result provides a multifaceted picture of modern industrial work and how industrial contexts influence the design of vocational education. The conditions for students’ workplace-based learning varies depending on the size, working conditionsand production logic of industrial companies. In conclusion, different layers of impact processes are identified in the intersection between the school-industry-local community. They are linked to how the industries’ short-term and long-term competence needs, meet the needs of local communities and young people’s wishes.Keywords:Vocational education, Vocational learning, industrial work.