On 18 June 2024, the European Network of Public Employment Services (PES Network) hosted a webinar to present findings from its report on ‘Trends in PES: Assessment Report on PES Capacity 2023’, covering labour market dynamics, skilling and re-skilling, the Youth Guarantee, and green transitions.

The PES Network 90-minute online event on ‘Public Employment Services: Trends in 2023’ brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss the latest developments and key trends affecting PES across the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.  Nearly 180 representatives attended the webinar, from Public Employment Services (PES), national, regional and local representatives, social partners and representatives of international and EU institutions.

Presenting key findings from the ‘Trends in PES: Assessment Report on PES Capacity 2023’,  the webinar emphasised the changing role of PES in a context combining labour shortages and historically low levels of unemployment across most EU labour markets. Focusing on labour market dynamics, skilling and re-skilling, this year’s report and webinar also shed light on two priorities for the PES Network: the roles PES play in supporting green transitions and the Youth Guarantee.

Key messages and priorities for PES

The webinar highlighted the following key messages:

1. PES are adapting to evolving market demands, particularly in addressing labour shortages and enhancing skills development. Discussions highlighted strategic initiatives PES are implementing to remain agile and responsive to these changes.
2. Focusing on skilling and re-skilling, PES are actively involved in creating programmes that equip jobseekers with the necessary skills to meet current and future job demands. These initiatives are crucial to maintain a competitive and adaptable workforce across the EU and associated countries.
3. PES involvement in skills development remains mostly in skills assessment while training provision takes place with partners.
4. PES activities and services demonstrate a clear shift from COVID-19 recovery activities to addressing needs of both those outside the labour market (especially but not exclusively young people); and supporting workers in employment but at risk of losing their job.

The webinar reinforced the message that PES play a pivotal role in driving green transitions as well as supporting the Youth Guarantee. In the second session of the PES Network webinar, the thematic expert provided a brief overview of how PES support efforts and activities in these priority areas, brought to life by two national examples from Ireland and Slovenia. The Slovenian PES (Employment Service of Slovenia, ESS) described the PES’ role in implementing the campaign-based Preseneeti.se project under the Youth Guarantee, targeting young NEETs by cooperating with school counsellors and Centres of Social Welfare (CSW). In addition, SOLAS Ireland (a partner from the Irish Public Employment Service) explained how promoting Further Education and Training (FET) and Zero Emissions Building (ZEB) can stimulate green transitions throughout Europe.

Providing concluding remarks, the PES Network Secretariat emphasised the importance of ongoing collaboration and knowledge-sharing among PES stakeholders. The webinar concluded with a call to action, encouraging participants to apply the insights gained to their respective contexts.

This event is now available in full online by clicking here.