In today's rapidly evolving economy, businesses are facing growing challenges in recruiting workers with the right skills. Chambers of commerce can play an important role in helping communities tackle these pressing issues and building skills systems that are fit for the future.

This paper draws on a 2024 survey undertaken by the OECD, in collaboration with Eurochambres and the International Chamber of Commerce, covering chambers from 65 countries and transnational regions. It explores the role chambers play in shaping and implementing skills policies at local, regional and national levels. Common approaches include supporting strategy development at both national and regional/local levels; serving as an intermediary between businesses and skills programmes; and, at least to some degree, being a direct provider of training themselves.

As demands for agile and inclusive skills systems grow, this paper serves as a first step to explore how chambers can further support skills agendas.

Key findings

• The legal and institutional frameworks for chamber engagement varies significantly across countries. In just under half of OECD countries, chambers operate under private law models (i.e. voluntary membership, no delegated public functions), about a quarter operate under public law models (i.e. mandatory membership and delegated public functions), and the remaining under hybrid law models (i.e. no mandatory membership but delegated public functions).
• Despite these differences, chambers are frequently active in skills policies in a number of ways. Common activities include supporting strategy development at both the national and regional/local levels; serving as an intermediary between businesses and skills programmes; and, at least to some degree, being a direct provider of training themselves.
• Chambers are particularly engaged in skills programmes with concrete links to the world of work. For example, in nine out of ten responding countries, chambers provide training for businesses on topics relevant to their operations, such as HR or exporting. In three out of four, they are active in programmes for entrepreneurs and/or small businesses in support of starting up or scaling up, and in programmes that link school and work-based learning (e.g. apprenticeships and other types of dual learning programmes).
• Chambers work closely with public actors on skills policies and programmes, particularly regional and local governments. Over half of responding chambers said they are in contact with regional and local governments on issues related to skills on a monthly basis or more frequently.