The Skills4Retail Alliance is growing — explore this vital community

Across Europe, demand for upskilling is rising, and our Skills4Retail Alliance is growing steadily. We now count 47 organisations who’ve joined the pledge — a community committed to turning skills strategy into action and making practical training available where it’s needed most.

Who’s involved (at a glance)

The mix is broad by design, bringing together people who hire, people who teach, and people who shape standards. A rough breakdown looks like this:

• Private-sector companies: 22

• Educational institutions and VET providers: 5

• Associations, chambers and employer organisations: 3

• Individual experts: 2

• Consortium partners who have also pledged: 12

You’ll recognise global giants among local champions. Huge brands such as SPAR, Carrefour Romania and Decathlon Malta are joined by HR and employment specialists like ManpowerGroup and business associations including AECOC and VOSZ. Training leaders such as WIFI International, VET schools and universities — from KNIGHTS College and IDEA College to Riga State Technical School and the University of Bucharest — add deep pedagogical expertise. JA organisations across Europe connect classrooms to workplaces, while SMEs and specialists including Blue Events, QedOn and Buymedia bring fresh perspectives and agility. The result is a network that reflects the diversity of the wider ecosystem, from fashion and food to logistics, technology and customer service.

How the pledge works

The pledge is a clear, practical commitment. Members agree to share expertise and good practice. They work together on training, workshops and placements where possible. They also help successful approaches spread across networks and countries. The shared objective is to co-create and scale a modern skills strategy and a ready-to-use VET training package focused on three priorities: digital capability, green practices and resilience. By pooling experience, resources and reach, the alliance aims to raise capabilities across Europe.

Why this matters

Skills only land when they are shaped and tested by the people who will use them. An alliance that spans employers, educators and intermediaries keeps us grounded in real roles and real constraints like new technology, changing customer expectations and evolving compliance needs. It also helps good ideas scale faster. When one member pilots an approach that works, others can adapt it quickly, cutting duplication and reducing time to impact.

Join the alliance

You can explore the growing community on our pledge page to see who is already involved and how they’re contributing. If your organisation wants to help shape training, support placements, or add your voice to a Europe-wide effort to raise capabilities, we’d love you to join.

Sign the pledge here: .