The article considers the existing traditional interpretations of the principle of continuous education as well as the trends of change in understanding this principle in modern conditions. The author shows the shift of emphasis from the institutional characteristics of the system of education and educational activities, aimed at mastering the related and consecutive education programs, to the actualization of a student’s internal incentives and mechanisms of professional development and self-development realized through the use of all effective and available resources and opportunities.

The article deals with the theoretical and methodological grounds, the traditions and the current priorities for creating the concepts and programmes of development of pedagogical education in teacher training universities as centres of innovation spaces in social development of regions in the modern conditions.

There are revealed the ideas of the essence and specificity of pedagogic work assumed as basis of the conception and development program of Volgograd State Social and Pedagogical University for the period of 2011 - 2015. From the position of continuous pedagogic education there are given the essential characteristics of the university complex of the VSSPU, regulations of its further establishment as the basis centre of teacher training. The article is devoted to the 80th anniversary of the University.