The role of subnational governments in adult skills systems: Chile

This country note provides an overview of the governance of the adult skills system in Chile. It is part of an extensive review of all 38 OECD countries. The main findings across all countries are summarised in the OECD policy paper The Role of Subnational Governments in Adult Skills Systems.

Table 1. Overall governance and expenditure structure

Governance structure	Levels of governance	% of general government expenditure at sub-national level)
Unitary	National: State Regional: Regiones and Provincias Local: Municipios	13.4%
How is the adult skills system governed?
Centralised ✓	Combined system	Decentralised

Note: For more information on the definitions of the governance models, please see (OECD, 2025[1]).

Source: (OECD/UCLG, 2022[2])

How is the adult skills system governed?

Chile has a largely centralised skills system, where national ministries are central in monitoring labour market trends, designing training strategies, and supporting their implementation.

• At the national level, responsibilities are split between the Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación), which oversees Vocational Education and Training (VET), Higher VET (HVET) and adult education (AE), and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Ministerio del Trabajo y Previsión Social), which has responsibilities for Active Labour Market Policies (ALMPs) and Continuous Education and Training (CET) in co-operation with the National Training and Employment Service (Servicio Nacional de Capacitación y Empleo).

• Regional actors implement national strategies with limited flexibility for local adjustments. Regional institutions include Provincial Education Departments (Departamentos Provinciales de Educación), which overlook VET, HVET and AE; State Technical Training Centres (Centros de Formación Técnica Estatales), which deliver VET, HVET and CET; and Regional Training Councils (Consejos Regionales de Capacitación), which serve as consultative bodies on skills policies.

• At the local level, Municipal Labour Information Offices (Oficinas Municipales de Información y Capacitación) provide job placement services and skills training to job seekers, often coordinating with national agencies. Recent efforts have sought to restructure responsibilities for education, including AE, through the New Public Education Law, which created Local Public Education Services (Servicios Locales de Educación).

Table 2. Allocation of responsibilities across policy areas and levels of government

		Strategy	Intelligence	Implementation	Funding	Delivery
Policy area	National level
	VET, HVET	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
	CET	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
	AE	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
	ALMP	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
	Regional level
	VET, HVET	-	-	-	-	-
	CET	-	-	-	-	-
	AE	-	-	-	-	-
	ALMP	-	-	-	-	-
	Local level
	VET, HVET	-	-	-	-	-
	CET	-	-	-	-	-
	AE	-	-	-	-	-
	ALMP	-	-	-	-	✓

Legend: ✓ = Yes; - = No

Note: For more information on exact definitions of policy areas and responsibilities, please see (OECD, 2025[1]).

Infographic 1. Overview of the adult skills system

Note: Colour code: Dark blue → government/national/subnational agencies, Green → social partners, Lighter blue → private actors and education providers, Yellow → Expert councils/foundations/associations/research institutions. For more information, please see

Source: OECD compilation based on available information.

Stakeholders and responsibilities at the national level

At the national level, Chile's skills system is coordinated by a network of government ministries, specialised agencies, and supporting organisations:

• The Ministry of Education oversees the strategic and legal framework for VET and AE, supported by the Under-Secretariat for Higher Education (Subsecretaría de Educación Superior), which is responsible for overseeing the quality and accessibility in VET and HVET.

• The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, along with the Under-Secretariat of Labour (Subsecretaria del Trabajo), has the overall responsibility for the design of ALMPs. The Ministry oversees Chile's National Training and Employment Service, the Public Employment Service (PES). The PES is responsible for implementing ALMPs, and CET initiatives. ChileValora certifies labour competences, helping workers validate skills acquired through various experiences.

• The Ministry of Social Development and Family supports the provision of CET and ALMPs by promoting social inclusion and enhancing employability for vulnerable groups, including through focus on entrepreneurship and women's economic empowerment.

• National strategies are informed by expert councils like the National Education Council (Consejo Nacional de Educación), and the Confederation of Production and Trade (Confederación de la Producción y del Comercio), which helps to align training programmes with industry needs. Organisations like Chile Foundation (Fundación Chile) drive innovation and workforce preparation, especially in emerging sectors.

Table 3. Stakeholders and responsibilities at the national level

Name of institution	Responsibilities					Organisation type	Areas	Description
	Strategy	Intelligence	Implementation	Funding	Delivery
Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación)	✓	✓	-	✓	-	Ministry	VET HVET AE	The Ministry oversees and guides the national education system, including preschool, primary, and secondary education, as well as VET, HVET, and AE. Its responsibilities include setting educational policies, developing curricula, regulating educational institutions, and facilitating access to quality education for all segments of the population. The Ministry also focuses on teacher training, educational reform, and managing standardised assessments.
Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Ministerio del Trabajo y Previsión Social)	✓	✓	-	✓	-	Ministry	ALMP CET	This Ministry is responsible for formulating and implementing labour policies that promote fair and safe working conditions, social security, and worker well-being. It also oversees workforce development programmes, including ALMPs and CET, aimed at enhancing employability and skills development.
Ministry of Social Development and Family (Ministerio de Desarrollo Social y Familia)	✓	✓	-	✓	-	Ministry	ALMP CET	The Ministry is responsible for formulating and implementing policies that promote social inclusion, reduce poverty, and support vulnerable populations. The Ministry carries out several initiatives aimed at helping vulnerable populations enter the workforce or acquire basic skills.
Under-Secretariat for Higher Education (Subsecretaría de Educación Superior)	-	✓	✓	✓	-	National Agency	VET HVET	The agency operates under the Ministry of Education and oversees and regulates the country's higher education system. Its mandate includes ensuring the quality, accessibility, and relevance of higher education institutions, both public and private, including universities, professional institutes, and technical training centres. The agency also manages funding programmes such as scholarships and financial aid.
Under-Secretariat of Labour (Subsecretaria del Trabajo)	-	✓	✓	-	-	National Agency	ALMP	The agency operates under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and is responsible for overseeing the implementation of ALMPs. The agency also supports the design of new labour market policies and works with other agencies to offer programmes that align with the needs of the labour market.
National Training and Employment Service (Servicio Nacional de Capacitación y Empleo - SENCE)	-	✓	✓	✓	✓	National Agency	ALMP CET	The National Training and Employment Service is the PES in Chile. Working under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, its main activities include supporting unemployed and underemployed individuals through ALMPs and providing CET for workers seeking to upskill or reskill. The PES partners with educational institutions and private providers to deliver targeted training programmes, helping individuals increase their employability and adapt to changing job demands.
ChileValora – National System for the Certification of Labour Competences (Sistema Nacional de Certificación de Competencias Laborales)	-	✓	✓	-	-	National Agency	VET HVET CET	ChileValora is the national agency responsible for certifying the labour competencies of workers in Chile. Its main activity is to evaluate and recognise individuals' skills and knowledge, regardless of how they were acquired (through formal education, work experience, or informal learning). The agency collaborates with industry sectors, educational institutions, and labour unions.
Fund for Solidarity and Social Investment (Fondo de Solidaridad e Inversión Social - FOSIS)	-	-	✓	-	--	National Agency	ALMP AE	The agency operates under the Ministry of Social Development and Family and is dedicated to promoting social inclusion and reducing poverty by supporting vulnerable populations. It provides training, skills development, and entrepreneurship support to individuals and communities with limited economic resources. In doing so, it works closely with local governments and community organisations.
National Education Council (Consejo Nacional de Educación - CNE)	-	✓	-	-	-	Expert Council	VET HVET	The National Education Council is responsible for the quality and consistency of education across all levels, from preschool to higher education, including VET. The Council oversees the accreditation of institutions, evaluates the implementation of educational policies, and provides recommendations on curriculum development and standards.
Civil Society Council (Consejo de la Sociedad Civil - COSOC)	-	✓	-	-	-	Expert Council	VET HVET AE	The Civil Society Council is a citizen advisory council under the Ministry of Education. Its primary role is facilitating public participation in educational policy development by allowing representatives from various social sectors, such as education professionals, students, parents, and civil society organisations, to provide input on key educational issues. The Council serves as a bridge between civil society and the Ministry, offering recommendations, feedback, and advice on educational reforms, policies, and initiatives at all levels of education, including adult education and VET.
Confederation of Production and Trade (Confederación de la Producción y del Comercio)	-	✓	-	-	-	Social partner	VET HVET CET	The Confederation of Production and Trade is Chile’s largest business and trade association, representing the interests of the private sector in economic and social matters. Within the Confederation, the Commission on Technical and Vocational Education collaborates with the government, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to align education and training programmes with industry needs.
Foundation for the Promotion and Development of Women and Women's Rights (Fundación PRODEMU)	-	✓	✓	✓	✓	Foundation	CET AE ALMP	Public foundation that aims to empower women through skills development, education, and personal growth programmes. It operates under the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality and focuses on promoting gender equality by providing training, entrepreneurship support, and financial literacy to women, especially those from vulnerable or disadvantaged backgrounds. The programmes are delivered nationwide, often in partnership with local organisations.
Chile Foundation (Fundación Chile)	-	-	✓	✓	-	Foundation	CET AE ALMP	Chile Foundation is a public-private foundation dedicated to fostering innovation, sustainability, and skills development across various sectors. Its mission is to drive economic growth and competitiveness by promoting new technologies, business models, and workforce skills that meet the demands of the modern economy. The Foundation collaborates with industry partners, educational institutions, and government agencies, to create training programmes that align with market needs.

Legend: ✓ = Yes; - = No

Source: OECD compilation based on (Ministerio de Educación, 2024[3]); (Ministerio del Trabajo y Previsión Social, 2024[4]); (Ministerio de Educación: Subsecretaría de Educación Superior, 2024[5]); (Ministerio de Desarrollo Social y Familia, 2024[6]); (Subsecretaría del Trabajo, 2024[7]); (Servicio Nacional de Capacitación y Empleo, 2024[8]); (ChileValora, 2024[9]); (International Labor Organization, 2009[10]); (MINEDUC, 2024[11]); (MINEDUC, 2024[12]); (Confederación de la Producción y del Comercio, 2024[13]); (FOSIS, 2024[14]); (PRODEMU, 2024[15]).

Stakeholders and responsibilities at the regional level

Chile is divided into 16 regions and 56 provinces. They primarily focus on adapting and implementing national plans to fit regional contexts, serving as a bridge between national policy and local execution. Key regional actors involved in the delivery of VET, HVET, CET and ALMPs include:

• Provincial Education Departments (Departamentos Provinciales de Educación), which manage schools, technical institutes, and adult education programmes within their jurisdiction. The departments are decentralised offices under the Ministry of Education.

• Regional offices of the National Training and Employment Service (Servicio Nacional de Capacitación y Empleo) that adapt and implement national training and employment policies to meet local labour market needs.

• Regional Training Councils (Consejos Regionales de Capacitación) are tripartite, consultative bodies, that bring together local stakeholders, including businesses, employees and government authorities to advise regional governments on implementing the National Training Policy. They are overseen by the National Training and Employment Service through 15 offices across Chile’s regions.

• State Technical Training Centres (Centros de Formación Técnica Estatales), which deliver upper-secondary VET/HVET and CET programmes tailored to the needs of regional economies, offering specialised training that aligns with local industry demands.

Table 4. Stakeholders and responsibilities at the regional level

Name of institution	Responsibilities					Organisation type	Areas	Description
	Strategy	Intelligence	Implementation	Funding	Delivery
Provincial Education Departments (Departamentos Provinciales de Educación)	-	✓	✓	-	-	National agency	VET HVET AE	The Provincial Education Departments of the Ministry of Education are decentralised offices that operate at the provincial level. Their primary role is to implement and oversee national education policies within their specific regions. These departments serve as the link between the Ministry and local educational institutions, including preschool, primary, and secondary education, as well as VET HVET and adult education. They handle various administrative, supervisory, and support functions to ensure the effective functioning of the education system at the regional level.
Regional offices -National Training and Employment Service (Servicio Nacional de Capacitación y Empleo – Oficinas regionales)	-	✓	✓	-	-	National agency	CET ALMP	At the regional level, the National Training and Employment Service operates through regional offices that adapt and implement national training and employment policies to meet local labour market needs. These offices coordinate with local businesses, industry associations, educational institutions, and regional governments to deliver training programmes. They also gather regional data on labour trends and skill gaps, which helps the National Training and Employment Service nationally.
Regional Training Councils (Consejos Regionales de Capacitación)	-	✓	-	-	-	Expert Council	VET HVET CET	Regional Training Councils are regional bodies that bring together key stakeholders, such as employers, employees, and government authorities, to advise on skills development and training programmes at the regional level. Established under Law 19.518, these councils are tasked with ensuring that VET, HVET and CET are aligned with the needs of the local labour market. The National Training and Employment Service oversees them and are present in 15 of Chile’s regions.
State Technical Training Centres (Centros de Formación Técnica Estatales)	-	-	-	-	✓	Education provider	VET HVET CET	State Technical Training Centres are state-run centres created to provide affordable and accessible VET, HVET and CET at the post-secondary level. These centres are designed to address regional and local labour market needs by offering specialised technical programmes that prepare students for direct entry into the workforce. They focus on practical skills and provide training opportunities to underserved populations across the country. They collaborate with local industries and the public sector to ensure their programmes are aligned with labour market demands.

Legend: ✓ = Yes; - = No

Source: OECD compilation based on (Ministerio de Educación, 2024[16]); (SENCE, 2024[17]); (Ministerio de Educación: Subsecretaría de Educación Superior, 2024[18]); (SENCE, 2024[19]).

Stakeholders and responsibilities at the local level

Chile is divided into 345 municipalities. Historically, skills and education have been highly centralised, but the New Public Education Law (Law 21040, 2017) has sought to decentralise education management by transferring responsibilities from municipalities to more autonomous regional bodies. At the municipal level, key institutions in the adult skills system include:

• Municipal Labour Information Offices (Oficinas Municipales de Información Laboral), which provide ALMP support by connecting job seekers with training programmes and local job opportunities, often in coordination with national agencies like the Public Employment Service.

• Local Public Education Services (Servicios Locales de Educación), created in 2017 under Law 21040, oversee public schools, including adult education, in specific territories, focusing on improving educational outcomes while following national policies set by the Ministry of Education. They are specialised local agencies that have taken over educational management from municipalities.

• Localoffices of the National Training and Employment Service (Servicio Nacional de Capacitación y Empleo) deliver ALMPs tailored to local community needs. They provide job placement services, career counseling, and access to training opportunities, often in collaboration with local businesses, educational institutions, and community organisations.

• Integrated Adult Education Centres (Centros de Educación Integrada de Adultos) are overseen by the Ministry of Education. They offer basic and secondary education programmes for who did not complete their formal schooling.

• Private education and training providers also operate at the local level, offering specialised courses in VET, CET, and AE, often complementing public programmes. These providers may work independently or in partnership with local municipalities and national agencies to deliver tailored training that meets local labour market needs.

Table 5. Stakeholders and responsibilities at the local level

Name of institution	Responsibilities					Organisation type	Areas	Description
	Strategy	Intelligence	Implementation	Funding	Delivery
Municipal Labour Information Offices (Oficinas Municipales de Información Laboral - OMIL)	-	-	-	-	✓	Municipal government	ALMP	The Municipal Labour Information Offices are administratively dependent on municipals. Among the 233 offices nationwide, those with agreements with the National Training and Employment Services receive technical assistance from the institution for their operations. They focus on ALMPs that facilitate the connection between job seekers and employers by providing job placement services, career guidance, and training opportunities for adults looking to enter or re-enter the workforce (regulated by Law 19.728). They work closely with local industries and national agencies to offer training programmes, workshops, and job fairs, aligning their services with local labour market needs.
Municipal offices - National Training and Employment Service (Servicio Nacional de Capacitación y Empleo – Oficinas municipales)	-	-	-	-	✓	National agency	CET ALMP	At the municipal level, National Training and Employment Service operates through municipal offices that deliver employment services and training programmes tailored to local community needs. They provide job placement services, career counselling, and access to training opportunities, often in collaboration with local businesses, educational institutions, and community organisations.
Local Public Education Services (Servicios Locales de Aducación Pública - DEP)	-	✓	✓	✓	-	National agency	AE	Local public education services established as part of the New Public Education Law (Law 21.040, 2017), which seeks to decentralise and improve the management of public education. Local Public Education Services are responsible for overseeing and managing public schools and collaborate with other entities to provide adult education in their regions.
Integrated Adult Education Centres (Centros de Educación Integrada de Adultos)	-	-	-	-	✓	Education provider	AE	Specialised adult education centres overseen by the Ministry of Education that focus on providing basic education and secondary education to adults who did not complete their formal education. The centres offer flexible learning opportunities and aim to help adults obtain the educational qualifications necessary to access better job opportunities, pursue further education, or achieve personal development.
Private education and training providers	-	-	-	-	✓	Education provider	VET HVET CET AE	Private education and training providers operate locally to provide adult education, upskilling opportunities, and reskilling courses on the local level.

Legend: ✓ = Yes; - = No

Source: OECD compilation based on (SENCE, 2024[20]); (Ministerio de Educación, 2024[21]); (Educación Pública: Ministerio de Educación, 2024[22]).

References

[9] ChileValora (2024), “¿Quienes Somos?”, https://www.chilevalora.cl/nosotros/quienes-somos/.

[13] Confederación de la Producción y del Comercio (2024), “Comisión de Educación Técnico Profesional”, http://www.cpc.cl/comision-de-educacion-tecnico-profesional/?lang=es.

[22] Educación Pública: Ministerio de Educación (2024), “Servicios Locales de Educación Pública”, https://educacionpublica.gob.cl/servicios-locales-de-educacion-publica/.

[23] European Commission, Eurydice (2023), 8. Adult education and training, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/netherlands/adult-education-and-training.

[14] FOSIS (2024), Programas, https://www.fosis.gob.cl/es/programas/autonomia-economica/apoyo-a-tu-plan-laboral/.

[10] International Labor Organization (2009), “ChileValora, Comisión Sistema Nacional de Certificación de Competencias Laborales”, https://www.oitcinterfor.org/instituci%C3%B3n-miembro/chilevalora-comisi%C3%B3n-sistema-nacional-certificaci%C3%B3n-competencias-laborales.

[12] MINEDUC (2024), “Consejo de la Sociedad Civil”, https://www.mineduc.cl/ministerio/cosoc/.

[11] MINEDUC (2024), “Consejo Nacional de Educación - CNED”, https://www.ayudamineduc.cl/ficha/consejo-nacional-de-educacion-cned-5.

[6] Ministerio de Desarrollo Social y Familia (2024), “Programas Sociales Adultos”, https://www.desarrollosocialyfamilia.gob.cl/programas-sociales/adultos.

[16] Ministerio de Educación (2024), “Departamentos provinciales”, https://www.mineduc.cl/ministerio/departamentos-provinciales/.

[21] Ministerio de Educación (2024), “Educación de Personas Jovenes y Adultas”, https://epja.mineduc.cl/modalidad-regular/informacion-a-estudiantes/quienes-la-imparten/.

[3] Ministerio de Educación (2024), “Misión”, https://www.mineduc.cl/ministerio/mision/.

[18] Ministerio de Educación: Subsecretaría de Educación Superior (2024), “Centros de Formación Técnica Estatales”, https://educacionsuperior.mineduc.cl/cft-estatales/.

[5] Ministerio de Educación: Subsecretaría de Educación Superior (2024), “Subsecretaría de Educación Superior”, https://educacionsuperior.mineduc.cl/subsecretaria-de-educacion-superior/.

[4] Ministerio del Trabajo y Previsión Social (2024), “Misión y objetivos”, https://www.mintrab.gob.cl/mision-y-objetivos/.

[1] OECD (2025), “From national to local: Exploring the role of subnational governments in adult skills systems across OECD countries”, OECD Local Economic and Employment Development (LEED) Papers, No. 2025/XX, OECD Publishing, Paris.

[2] OECD/UCLG (2022), 2022 Country Profiles of the World Observatory on Subnational Government Finance and Investment., https://www.sng-wofi.org/country-profiles/chile.html.

[15] PRODEMU (2024), Programas, https://www.prodemu.cl/area-de-convenio-sernameg/.

[19] SENCE (2024), “Consejos Regionales de Capacitaión”, https://sence.gob.cl/sence/consejo-regional-de-capacitacion.

[20] SENCE (2024), “Oficina Municipal”, https://sence.gob.cl/personas/omil.

[17] SENCE (2024), “Sence Regiones”, https://sence.gob.cl/sence/regiones.

[8] Servicio Nacional de Capacitación y Empleo (2024), “Sobre Sence”, https://sence.gob.cl/.

[7] Subsecretaría del Trabajo (2024), “PROEMPLEO”, https://www.subtrab.gob.cl/division-politicas-de-empleo/proempleo/.

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