In the context of the European Year of Skills 2023, watch three short new videos by the PES Network to get inspired by the practices of Public Employment Services (PES) and their partner organisations in upskilling and reskilling the workforce across Europe. Discover various approaches aiming to develop green and digital skills, match jobseekers’ competences with employers’ needs and contribute to bridging the skills gap in Europe, with support from EU funds.

© PES Network

The PES Network has produced three new videos on the Green Skills Training in Ireland; ‘Upskill’ programme in Portugal; and the ‘Relocate’ project in Sweden in the context of the European Year of Skills 2023. The videos reveal the perspectives of PES and their partners, such as training organisations, employers, and jobseekers who have undergone training.

From Ireland, discover the work of the National Construction Training Centre in Mount Lucas, which provides training in green construction skills through an initiative co-funded by the European Social Fund. The Irish PES (Intreo) identifies suitable candidates who then receive training on skills such as improving internal and external insulation to reduce buildings’ energy consumption.

Find out how the Portuguese ‘Upskill’ programme brings together industry, academia and government to define employers’ skills needs and, on this basis, develop digital technology training targeted at the unemployed and those at risk of unemployment. This national initiative, led by the Portuguese PES (IEFP) in cooperation with the Portuguese Association for the Development of Communications (APDC) and other academic and higher education institutions, thus increases employability while meeting companies’ digital skills needs.

In addition, learn about the ‘Relocate’ project, coordinated by the Swedish PES (Arbetsförmedlingen) and also co-funded by the European Social Fund. This project seeks ways to help people move from geographic locations with high unemployment to places with high need for labour, particularly in green sectors. The project provides opportunities to develop new skills via simulation exercises - building on jobseekers’ competences - and collaborates actively with employers to ensure proper matching.

Watch the videos to learn more about these inspiring practices, both from the perspective of those implementing them and those directly benefitting. For a brief overview of all three practices and an additional expert perspective, see also the PES Network video on Empowering the Workforce, Bridging the Skills Gap released at this year’s PES Network Stakeholder Conference on the same topic.