PES Network publishes 15 new PES practices in 2024

Over the past year, the European Network of Public Employment Services (PES Network) has published 15 new practices on its PES Practices database. These initiatives ranged from PES approaches to AI job matching, to transnational apprenticeships, social media outreach and much more.

The PES Practices database serves as a repository of inspiring practices developed by Public Employment Services (PES) across Europe. This collection contains over 240 examples of initiatives carried out across PES services and strategic approaches. Users can easily find relevant practices by searching with keywords, country or year. 

Among the topics shared last year were new approaches to job matching and placement. Sweden recently deployed AI Job Matching to broaden job recommendations, while Finland has implemented a Talent Boost Programme to attract international talent in shortage sectors. Meanwhile in Iceland, the emphasis has been on preventing long-term unemployment through its Minus12 project, specifically targeting newly registered jobseekers. Finally, in Germany the ‘kontakt next’ project is exploring the use of social media to meet and inform parents, families and women.   

Opportunities for training and skills development have also been highlighted across Europe. As outlined in the PES Network Memorandum for the Next European Leadership, tight labour markets and the green and digital transitions have driven the demand for new skills and training. In Luxembourg, a transnational apprenticeship programme has been used to enhance training access for residents both within the country and in neighbouring countries. Estonia offers a framework to bridge skills gaps in the labour market by identifying training opportunities in the most-needed fields (using machine learning algorithms). Belgium has also sought to help jobseekers develop their skills, with the Belgian-Walloon PES using online screening and interviews with a vocational trainer and digital skills workshops. Croatia, meanwhile, offers free training programmes through a voucher-based adult education scheme and Sweden is developing Competence Passports to support informal learning and enhance the recognition of micro-credentials. 

Youth engagement and support continues to be a key element in national PES employment strategies. In Germany, vocational preparation training targets young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, young people in the labour market who are in a disadvantaged position and young people with disabilities. Portugal is reaching out to young people using online methods to encourage young NEETS to use PES services. 

Finally, evidence-based design using data to drive forward improvements in service delivery has been high on the list of priorities. These metrics allow PES to evaluate effectiveness and measure efficiency. In Spain, EVADES (Evaluation of PES performance) has been used to improve coordination and knowledge sharing among regional and national PES. In Poland cost-effectiveness indicators have been adopted to streamline spending; and the Belgian-Brussels PES Actiris has launched Diversity Plans to help companies track their progress on inclusion. 

Want to find out more? Search the PES Practices database to see the full collection!