This paper belongs to a series of publications regarding tripartite view on Work Based Learning (WBL). The Project WBLQUAL (“An Approach to Qualifications through Negotiated Work Based Learning for the EU”) is a European; Erasmus (EACEA, LLP) funded project working across five countries looking to refine a method of providing qualifications for work based learning. There are significant issues that will be researched including meeting the requirements of the students for recognized qualifications and changing the mind-set of Universities on how courses are planned, delivered and assessed. The aim of the research is to develop a deeper and Europe-wide understanding of learner needs and aspirations. Integrating this knowledge with other project’s results it is possible come to a coherent understanding of the tri-partite relationship between learner, employer and higher education institution (HEI). Results are derived working with different types of employees (students, graduate trainees, permanent employees), across national boundaries (Italy, Poland, Latvia, Denmark, UK), within different business areas (business, computing, tourism) and with topical economic drivers (economic, demographic, political). To map the widespread of WBL among countries and sectors involved in the project it has been chosen to use the following investigation tools: Country Specific Reports, Online Questionnaire addressed to employees and Case Studies based on employees in-depth interviews. The paper presents investigation of: needs and aspirations of Work Based learners; their view of methods and approaches used in the assessment of performance in the work place within academic programmes; their view of methods and approaches used by employers in the assessment of performance in the work place outside of academic programmes; opportunities for the better measurement of work performance. Conclusions are based on information regarding UK IT sector, UK H&C sector, Italian childcare sector, Latvian IT sector, Polish business and Danish tourism sectors.