PESPod - the insiders' guide to the EU labour market (pespodeu)

Directorate-General for Employment, social affairs and inclusion
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The PES podcast has the latest exciting news on the work of the Public Employment Services (PES) in the EU. The monthly podcasts are produced by the European PES Network, with the financing support of the European Union. PES experts and researchers discuss a current labour market topic for everyone with an interest in the European labour market

  1. MAY 14

    AI, Algorithms and Digital Trends

    The latest episode of PESPod – the podcast of the European Network of Public Employment Services (PES Network) - explores the impact and transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) on PES. In this episode, host David Poyser is joined by two guests to discuss how PES can utilise AI to enhance service delivery, improve operational efficiency, and discuss key learnings and best practices that PES can adopt when designing and implementing AI. Joining him is Dr Willem Pieterson, author of the recently published PES Network Report ‘Opportunities of AI within PES processes and services’ exploring how these technologies can enhance service delivery, improve operational efficiency, and ultimately better serve jobseekers and employers. Willem provides an overview of the current state of AI adoption within PES before discussing trends such as agentic AI (systems capable of autonomous decision-making and actions). The second guest is Andreas Henningsson, Senior Strategist and Product Area Manager for AI and Data at Arbetsförmedlingen (the Swedish PES). Andreas shares how Sweden is innovatively using AI to match jobseekers with an expanded range of vacancies they might not have previously considered, by identifying transferable skills with hard and soft competencies. For example, this method could allow a data scientist to be matched to other roles in sales, education and other sectors.

  2. FEB 19

    Regional Work Centres: How an innovative one-stop shop approach in the Netherlands provides better outcomes for jobseekers and employers

    The latest episode of PESPod – the podcast of the European Network of Public Employment Services (PES Network) – shines a light on the strides being made in Regional Work Centres across the Netherlands. Maarten Camps, Chair of the Board at UWV, the Social Security and Public Employment Agency of the Netherlands, shares how these new hubs could strengthen the labour market in the Netherlands. In the episode, Mr Camps delves into the efforts made by UWV to enhance collaboration between municipalities, private partners, and other key stakeholders in the labour market. While the country’s unemployment rate is at a historic low of 3.7%, there is still room to expand job participation. Regional Work Centres can play a central role by offering support to those facing challenges related to disabilities, age, or inadequate skills.

  3. 12/16/2024

    PES Network at 10 years: reflections and looking to the future with Network Chairs past and present

    PES Network at 10 years: reflections and looking to the future with Network Chairs past and present.

  4. 06/28/2024

    Behavioural Sciece- a new tool for PES?

    How behavioural science can help PES help their clients.In episode 13 of PESPod, host David Poyser speaks to Mike Keesman from the Dutch PES (UWV) and Anne-Greet Keizer, Research Fellow at the Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy (WRR) on how a WRR report on behavioural science has helped to improve PES performance.Anne-Greet Keizer explains how the WRR’s research highlighted the importance of understanding the “difference between what people are expected to do and what they are actually capable of.” This is not an issue of motivation or willingness, nor just a concern for vulnerable groups - anyone can find themselves unable to take appropriate action in their best interests at different moments.The topic is particularly relevant for PES since the modern labour market “makes heavy demands on people’s self-reliance” to manage increasingly complex career paths. Furthermore, people are often in contact with PES at distressing times, such as when they have lost their job.Hear from Mike Keesman about how this report helped the Dutch PES to understand that “wrong decisions or passivity are not necessarily a sign of unwillingness”. They also gave the PES a new “language to really talk about how to improve our services” and communicate with service users.How inspirational has the Dutch PES found behavioural science? More than half of all its counsellors have engaged in voluntary training on the concept. Results include improved client attendance at appointments and more people applying for jobs with better hiring prospects.Listen to this episode to find out more about the Dutch PES experience with behavioural science and how the concept can also be applied to redesigning policies and laws.If you want to contact us with ideas for interviewees, or questions you would like movers and shakers in the EU employment world to tell you about then just email us: EMPL-PES-SECRETARIAT@ec.europa.eu

  5. 06/28/2024

    Skills, Innovation and Initiatives from the Greek PES with Spiros Protopsaltis

    The Greek PES Changemaker Reflects on Challenges and Opportunities in the Labour Market The latest PESPod episode explores persistent challenges faced by PES in Europe, including skills shortages and the transformative impact of the European Year of Skills, as well as how Greece is tackling the skills challenge and fostering a fair and inclusive labour market. Spiros Protopsaltis, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Greek Public Employment Service (DYPA), provides insights and navigates through critical issues, offering solutions and discussing promising strategic initiatives. Spiros Protopsaltis underscored the transformative impact of the European Year of Skills, which runs until May 2024. He noted a surge in awareness and stresses the need for substantial investments in upskilling and reskilling programmes throughout Europe. According to him, there is an urgent need to bridge existing gaps and prepare the workforce for the demands of a rapidly changing job market. He emphasised the positive impact of the European Year of Skills in Greece, which, coupled with significant resources from the ESF and the Recovery and Resilience Facility, has allowed Greece to undertake large-scale initiatives. These include the modernisation of vocational schools and a record-breaking upskilling and reskilling programme for the unemployed. Protopsaltis points to a success story in Greece in upskilling on digital and green skills, noting this requires investment. “In one year, 220,000 unemployed persons have been trained and certified in digital or green skills. It's a massive programme funded with a billion EUR from the recovery, and it has become our flagship initiative during this past year,” he said. Protopsaltis also discussed Greece’s efforts in addressing a skills mismatch through a strategic emphasis on vocational education. He underscores the importance of aligning educational curricula with the dynamic needs of the job market to ensure a more harmonious integration of skilled people in the workforce. DYPA faces challenges as it navigates the complexities of digitalisation, impending workforce retirements, and the need to adapt to unpredictable external shocks. Protopsaltis highlights the importance of modernising PES systems to effectively address these challenges. In the podcast, Protopsaltis advocated for the enhancement of equal opportunities as a priority in workforce development. In order to achieve this, he stressed the need to provide broader access and increased mobility to address restrictions on career pathways. Protopsaltis’s insights highlight the importance of adaptability, strategic investments, and training for the PES Network. He underlined the need for attitudinal changes towards vocational education and training to address skill mismatches effectively in order to meet the labour market demands of the future. If you have any comments about this episode of PESPod or relevant topics for future episodes, write to us at: EMPL-PES-SECRETARIAT@ec.europa.eu.

  6. 06/28/2024

    Talking Mission and Ambition with PES Network Chair Caroline Mancel

    PESPod episode 19 shares Network plans and priorities for 2024 and beyondThe latest PESPod episode #19 features the Chair of the PES Network, Caroline Mancel, discussing her background and what hopes and ambitions she has for the Network. Mancel, who assumed the role of PES Network Chair in July 2023, while continuing her role as Deputy Director General of Brussels-based PES Actiris, provides valuable insights into her journey, challenges faced by the European labour market, and next steps on her agenda. Mancel's background in international relations as well as her passion for fostering collaboration and making tangible progress shine through as she discusses the challenges facing the current labour market, such as skills shortages and mismatches, and the importance of addressing them: "We are really facing skills and labour shortages in the labour market, and we have started mapping how PES are measuring shortages across the EU. That's the first step to take, and now we're discussing a possible common approach…For all these challenges, we are really trying to embrace them in a very holistic way." She also acknowledges the European Year of Skills as a positive initiative by the European Commission during the podcast episode, saying that she believes the Year of Skills offers an opportunity to prioritise skills development. Not to be missed, the PES Network has contributed to the discourse with a paper on the European Year of Skills. Emphasising the importance of supporting the shift to green jobs, Mancel discussed the PES Network paper on support to greening the labour market. The paper explores how PES are adapting to the green labour market by mitigating its impact, supporting green industries, and addressing skill needs through various approaches, including partnerships and incentives. Mancel also emphasises the significance of European solidarity, mutual trust among PES members, and fostering concrete partnerships with stakeholders. Her commitment to creating a culture of value and importance within the PES Network highlights her leadership approach, promising a positive impact on employment services in Europe as they navigate the evolving labour market. With a focus on addressing labour market challenges, fostering partnerships, and promoting lifelong learning, Mancel shares that she aims to enhance the effectiveness of European Public Employment Services and benefit job seekers and employers alike. Download and listen to the 19th episode of PESPod wherever you listen to your podcasts including here. If you want to contact us with ideas for interviewees, or questions you would like movers and shakers in the EU employment world to tell you about then just email us: EMPL-PES-SECRETARIAT@ec.europa.eu

  7. 06/28/2024

    Upskilling and reskilling

    Lessons from Latvia. In the latest episode of PESPod, we talk to Evita Simsone, head of the Latvian PES (NVA), and HR expert Pārsla Baško about their recent efforts to understand and meet the needs of the future labour market in Latvia. Digital skills, graduate training and employment of recent arrivals from the conflict in Ukraine are some of the key topics discussed. Learn about the findings of the Latvian Future of Jobs Conference 2022 on “Trends That Will Shape the Work of Tomorrow”. A key takeaway for Evita Simsone was the importance of personal autonomy. “We all must be motivated, flexible and passionate with new skills. Learning has become a part of our daily life.” In this context, check out expert Pārsla Baško’s views on the value of online learning platforms and the importance of “blended learning where you have to mix and match different learning methods together”. Find out also how employers’ surveys in Latvia have revealed a mix picture. Evita Simsone highlights concerns that “not enough employers focus on upskilling their employees now,” particularly amongst small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Hear also her views on which sector is performing best – and which not so well - at providing training programmes for their workers. Underpinning all these reflections is the challenge of accurate labour market forecasting. Both guests highlight that it is impossible to predict exactly what jobs will look like in the future. Meanwhile, whilst the need for digital skills is well known, it is hard to keep up with the pace of digital change. In this context, hear the views of both speakers on the value of developing transferable ‘soft’ skills in areas such as communication, autonomy and leadership.If you want to contact us with ideas for interviewees, or questions you would like movers and shakers in the EU employment world to tell you about then just email us: EMPL-PES-SECRETARIAT@ec.europa.eu

  8. 06/27/2024

    2020 - the most challenging year in the PES Network’s history

    In this very first edition of the PES Podcast, the Austrian PES Managing Director Johannes Kopf, current chair of the PES Network, reflects on 2020, the most challenging in the PES Network’s history. How did the pandemic effect the work of European PES? How did they react to the developments in their labour markets and what lessons can be learned from this crisis? Find the answers to these questions - and a lot more - in the first PES Podcast! We would love feedback from our listeners! Let us know your comments and suggestions: EMPL-PES-SECRETARIAT@ec.europa.eu

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The PES podcast has the latest exciting news on the work of the Public Employment Services (PES) in the EU. The monthly podcasts are produced by the European PES Network, with the financing support of the European Union. PES experts and researchers discuss a current labour market topic for everyone with an interest in the European labour market

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