The overall objective of this paper is to determine, through a qualitative case study of the Dutch sectoral training system, factors associated with successful employer engagement. As well as examining the key features of the Dutch approach to vocational education and training (VET), the article makes a number of specific arguments: (1) employer "buy-in" is crucial to the success of the sectoral approach to VET; (2) simply establishing a system of sector-based training bodies (e.g. skills councils) does not guarantee effective employer engagement; and (3) to make sectoral training work, especially in countries where a "supply-led" system dominates, a fundamental reform is required in areas such as funding, qualification structure, leadership and system support.