The author aims to analyse, in a historical perspective, the proposals for the establishment of "Universidades do Trabalho" (Labour Universities) presented during the 30's and the 50's in Brazil, particularly those advanced by Omer Buyse and Humberto Grande. Starting from the analysis of the polítical-educational issues of those days, especially those concerning technical-vocations and college education, the author tries to identify the reasons that impeded their implementation, seeking to formulate an explanation.