PESPod #23: Regional Work Centres: How an innovative one-stop shop approach in the Netherlands provides better outcomes for jobseekers and employers

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. 

These centres offer a one-stop solution for jobseekers and employers, providing services ranging from career advice and training to practical support for overcoming employment barriers. They are being rolled out across 35 labour market regions in the Netherlands coordinated by the Dutch PES.

Mr Camps emphasised that the success of these centres hinges on breaking down the rigid separations between different types of benefits that prevent a unified approach to employment services. While legislative changes are needed to fully realise this vision, the early successes of the Regional Work Centres have been promising. For example, in one region, 85% of workers laid off from a car manufacturer found new employment within six months, many in different sectors such as healthcare.

The podcast also explores the critical role of employers in upskilling and reskilling workers, as well as the importance of coordinated efforts across public and private sectors to address labour shortages.

As the UWV continues to refine and expand its network of Regional Work Centres in cooperation with its partners, this episode of the PESPod provides valuable insights into how effective partnerships and innovative approaches can lead to better outcomes for both jobseekers and employers.

Listen to the full episode here to learn more about the future of employment services in the Netherlands and the ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive and dynamic labour market. 

The Dutch PES has recently published a report on 34 practical solutions that can be used to counter or reduce staff shortages. Read the report to find out more. 

If you have any comments about this episode of PESPod or would like to suggest relevant topics for future episodes, write to: EMPL-PES-SECRETARIATec [dot] europa [dot] eu (EMPL-PES-SECRETARIAT[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)