Public Employment Services (PES) in Europe have been quick to recognise and adapt to the needs of vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 crisis. This was a headline conclusion of a recent PES Network webinar on this topic.

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The PES Network webinar on PES support to vulnerable groups that took place online on 3 December 2020 explored examples of how PES had developed new tools or scaled up existing ones in response to the needs of vulnerable groups during the crisis.

Different PES have adapted to varying degrees their active labour market policies, their staffing, their processes and their partnerships with a special focus on counselling and support for vulnerable groups.

Examples presented at the webinar highlighted how integrated and digital support has enabled assistance for the most vulnerable jobseekers to be maintained and improved despite COVID restrictions. These urgent responses have led to learning moments about their services for both PES and their clients.

A key message from the event was that whilst these adaptations do not take root instantaneously and pose certain challenges – such as lack of digital skills and difficulty of reaching people living in poverty via digital tools – they are important elements in the overall package of support needed to avoid the exclusion of vulnerable groups from the labour market.