Chambers driving skills for a competitive and inclusive Europe

Chambers play a dual role in Europe’s skills landscape: they are both policy shapers and practical implementers. This unique position allows them to connect European and national strategies with the real needs of businesses, learners and local labour markets.

A dual role: policy and implementation

On the policy side, chambers contribute to skills governance at regional, national and EU level. While chamber structures and legal mandates vary across countries, in many cases chambers have a recognised institutional role in education and training systems. They are closely involved in skills governance (through advisory bodies, VET councils and social dialogue mechanisms), ensuring that employers’ perspectives are reflected in policy design and implementation. Through Eurochambres, these diverse national experiences are brought together and fed into EU-level policy debates and legislative processes.

In this context, Eurochambres is an official supporter of the Herning Declaration on attractive and inclusive VET for increased competitiveness and quality jobs 2026-2030. By endorsing the Declaration, Eurochambres commits to promoting high-quality, labour-market-relevant VET, strengthening work-based learning and apprenticeships, and supporting closer cooperation between businesses, education providers and public authorities across Europe.

On the practical side, chambers are deeply involved in the delivery of education and training services. Many chambers manage or co-manage apprenticeship and work-based learning systems, operate training centres, support companies in upskilling and reskilling their workforce, and guide learners and jobseekers towards relevant career pathways. Their hands-on involvement ensures that training provision remains closely aligned with labour market needs.