This paper analyzes the professional education policies in the Lula's administration. It shows their contradictory historical trajectory mixing social fights, government proposals and actions and omissions in the exercise of power. Beginning from the revocation of Decree 2.208/97, the main regulation of professional education of the previous administration, which reveals the dispute for power in this area, it explores the contradiction of proposing a specific bill for professional education instead of reopening the debate on the LDB (Brazilian Education Basic Tenets Law). It then analyzes such programs as Factory School, Integrated Professional Education for Young and Adult People (PROEJA) and Young People Inclusion (PROJOVEM). Despite declarations favoring the integration of basic education and specific training, the professional education policies are based on focal, contingent programs, marked by intense conflicts and contradictions.
Professional education; Technical education; Integrated education; Integrated curricula; Certification