The recent PES Network Board meeting (12-13 December 2019 – Helsinki, Finland) was an opportunity for PES managers to prepare to meet upcoming labour market challenges, addressing the use of open data and artificial intelligence, continuous learning and the future programme of the PES Network.

The topic of continuous learning was a central one. PES managers see its value and recognise that it requires close cooperation with companies and heavy investment in research and development.

Nevertheless, the practical steps individual PES can take vary, often because of the different national systems in which they operate and the scope of their mandates. Improved cooperation and lesson sharing between PES can provide crucial added value in this context.

Important reflections on public employment services’ preparedness for future changes in the labour market included specific discussions on:

• support to employers in case of redundancies or shortages of workers (led by Austria);
• granting of short-term allowances for employers during a crisis (led by Germany);
• modernising the operating model of job security (led by Finland);
• preparing for Brexit and possible shocks to the economy (led by Ireland).

A new PES Network Innovation lab –the concept was presented at the Board meeting – will kick off its initial 2020-2021 pilot phase. The aim of this lab is to help PES develop new practices together with peer PES and partners, with particular hopes for supporting innovation in smaller countries.

Reflecting on the contribution of the PES Network, the European Commission’s Director-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Joost Korte referred to it as the “boots on the ground” in terms of EU employment policy development and implementation. The prolongation of the PES Network is actively sought and expected, pending approval by the European Council and Parliament.

Finally, the Board elected its next two first Vice-Chairs: Ligita Valalytė (Lithuania) will serve between 12 December 2019 and 31 December 2020, and Spiros Protopsaltis (Greece) will serve between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021.