Mike Coles worked in the chemical industry and was a chemistry teacher before becoming involved curriculum and qualifications development in the UK. His doctoral research into various aspects of qualifications and vocational education led to involvement in European developments and his work on zones of trust contributed to the European Qualifications Framework. He remains involved in supporting the EQF implementation and represents the UK on the EQF Advisory Group.
His main research interests are qualifications systems, frameworks and the broadening of validation procedures to recognise learning gained outside formal learning settings. | 
