In Germany the chambers of craft and trade play a key role and can be considered an inportnat partner in supporting the development of workplace learning. The Dusseldorf chamber of craft and trade is the biggest institution of its type in Germany with a membership of forty-seven thousand companies. Like other German chambers of craft and trade, it has three main tasks. The first task is to represent the interests of its members at political, state and local levels. The second task is to act as a regional centre for the administration of the intermediate and final ‘mastercraftsman’ exams. The third task is to provide further training for the employees and employers of its member companies. This training can lead towards the ‘mastercraftsman’ qualification or towards other qualifications in specific skills areas e.g. technicial, commercial or presentation.