The latest episode of PESPod, the podcast of the European Network of Public Employment Services (PES Network), explores how Lithuania's Employment Service is giving frontline staff greater responsibility to respond to local needs and drive organisational change.

As labour markets continue to evolve, Public Employment Services (PES) across Europe are finding new ways to respond to changing customer expectations and specific regional priorities. Lithuania's ReStart initiative is one example, giving local teams the freedom to identify challenges, develop solutions and share successful practices across the organisation.

In this episode, host David Poyser is joined by Liudas Dapkus, Public Relations Advisor at the Lithuanian Employment Service. Liudas explains why ReStart was launched, the challenges encountered during implementation and how the initiative encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing across local offices.

The episode highlights several initiatives and best practices developed through ReStart, including reverse mediation in Klaipėda, where employer service specialists take a more active role in supporting recruitment, joint employer visits by consultants and employer specialists in Kaunas to strengthen employer relationships and improve job matching, and a dedicated local call centre model in Vilnius that reduces interruptions for frontline advisers while improving customer service.

Key topics discussed include:

How empowering teams helps drive innovation: Greater responsibility at a local level encourages teams to identify challenges, test new approaches and contribute ideas that improve services.

Successful practices from locally developed approaches can be implemented across the wider organisation. Local offices have the flexibility to develop approaches that reflect regional labour market needs, while successful practices can be shared and implemented across the wider organisation.

Creating a culture of trust, ownership and collaboration. Fostering a greater sense of ownership among staff has strengthened engagement, encouraged knowledge sharing and helped create a more collaborative organisational culture.

Lessons for other PES Lithuania’s experience shows how giving local teams greater ownership, sharing successful local solutions can improve service delivery across PES.

Further information:

Click here to listen to the full episode of PESPod #28: Empowering change from within: Lessons from Lithuania's ReStart initiative.

If you have any comments about this episode or would like to suggest future topics, write to: [email protected]

The PES Network Knowledge Centre and PES Practices database also have a wide range of information and inspiring practices on the organisation and services of Public Employment Services across Europe.

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The latest episode of PESPod, the podcast of the European Network of Public Employment Services (PES Network), explores how PES are helping jobseekers and employers prepare for the skills needed in tomorrow’s labour market.Across Europe, the triple transitions of digitalisation, demographic change and the greening of the labour market are reshaping job requirements. This episode examines how PES are responding with stronger skills intelligence, better data analysis and more responsive training programmes.In this episode, host David Poyser is joined by Sophia Cooper (Head of Training) and Gabriele Marconi (Data Scientist) from Luxembourg’s PES, ADEM (Agence pour le développement de l'emploi). Together, they discuss how ADEM are utilising data science and algorithms are used to identify and analyse skills in the Luxembourg labour market and how the outcomes are informing the design of training programmes to meet employer needs.Gabriele outlines how skills-based matching is being introduced to give a clearer picture of what jobseekers can offer and what employers need. He describes how ADEM’s algorithms extract skills from open vacancies and feed into the jobinsights.lu platform, which tracks trends across occupations and sectors. Meanwhile Sophia outlines how combining both quantitative and qualitative intelligence can shape reskilling and upskilling programmes and gives example of how ADEM are using the insights to quickly adapt to employer needs.The episode also explores the lessons learned, examples of programmes developed as a result of data insights and how PES can adopt a shift to skills-based approaches.Key topics discussed include:1. Upskilling and reskilling in a changing labour market in LuxembourgDigitalisation, the uptake of AI and wider economic shifts are driving changes across most occupations. Some IT specialisms are shrinking in while others, such as cybersecurity and data science, are expanding, highlighting the need for continuous skills development.2. Skills-based matching to better reflect labour market needsADEM is moving towards skills-based matching to improve the relevance of job recommendations. By combining occupations, qualifications and skills the PES can help jobseekers and employers identify opportunities more precisely, particularly where jobseekers have transversal skills that apply across roles or sectors.3. Data-driven tools to support skills intelligence and inform training designADEM uses algorithms to extract skills data from open vacancies and combines these insights with wider labour market information, vacancy trends and the Luxembourg shortage occupation list to support evidence-based decision making.4. Agility, collaboration and a shared mindset to support a skills-based approachA shift towards skills-based methods requires flexibility, cross-team collaboration and continuous dialogue with stakeholders and employers. Data driven approaches are most effective when combined with human insight and the ability to adapt quickly.

The latest episode of PESPod – the podcast of the European Network of Public Employment Services (PES Network) – focuses on Finland which has recently undergone significant structural changes.

Finland’s TE Services 2024 (TE24) reform, which came into force in January 2025, transferred responsibility for public employment services from the national level to municipalities and employment areas formed by municipalities. This new PESPod episode brings listeners inside the transition and examines what the reform means for jobseekers, employers and local authorities.

In the episode, host David Poyser speaks with two guests at the centre of the process. Tiina Korhonen, Director General of the Finnish Public Employment Service, outlines the national context for the reform, including recent labour market challenges and the strategic motivations for decentralising responsibility. She explains how bringing services closer to citizens, integrating employment services with education and business support, and strengthening regional vitality were core aims of the new model.

Joining her is Jaakko Westerlund, Head of Employment and Integration Services at the KEHA Centre, the organisation supporting municipalities as they deliver the reformed system. He describes the role of the KEHA Centre in providing guidance, maintaining key IT platforms, supporting staff preparation ahead of the changes and ensuring that municipalities have the tools they need to deliver effective services.

Throughout the discussion, both guests share early lessons from the implementation and reflect on what other PES can take from Finland’s experience.

Key topics discussed include:

• Labour market challenges shaped the need for reform

Finland entered the reform with high unemployment, falling vacancies and rising long term joblessness. This context informed the decision to reorganise employment services and make them more responsive to local needs.

• Decentralisation is intended to bring services closer to citizens

The TE 24 reform transfers responsibility to municipalities and employment areas, enabling services to be tailored to regional needs and integrated with education, business support and wider municipal services.

• Communication, staff preparation and coordinated support were essential for implementation

Internal guidelines, information events, webinars, national campaigns and structured transition programmes supported the preparation phase. The KEHA Centre provided legal guidance, digital tools, performance monitoring and competence development to help municipalities assume new responsibilities.

• Time, trust and careful sequencing are key lessons

Early implementation highlighted the importance of realistic timelines, thorough planning and strong cooperation across all levels of the PES. Undertaking IT and service reform simultaneously increased complexity, reinforcing the value of phased and well-coordinated change.

Further information:

If you have any comments about this episode or would like to suggest future topics, write to: [email protected].

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Get the PES Network’s latest news, events and publications on its priority topics for 2025-2026. Sign up to receive the PES Network newsletter!

You can also follow the latest developments from PES Network members in the PES Network LinkedIn group. Click here to join.

The latest episode of PESPod – the podcast of the European Network of Public Employment Services (PES Network) – explores how Public Employment Services (PES) can promote fair and ethical recruitment of workers from outside the European Union.

With skill shortages growing across Europe and many employers turning to third-country nationals (TCNs) to fill vacancies, this episode focuses on how PES can support recruitment that is transparent, rights-based and beneficial for both workers and employers.

In this episode, host David Poyser is joined by Regina Konle-Seidl, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) in Nuremberg, Germany, and Metka Barbo Škerbinc, Director-General of the Employment Service of Slovenia. Together, they discuss how Public Employment Services (PES) can strengthen their role as trusted intermediaries in international recruitment, working with employers, social partners and public authorities to prevent exploitation and ensure fair treatment of migrant workers.

Regina and Metka also share insights from the PES Network Thematic Review Workshop on fair recruitment of third country nationals held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in June 2025, as well as examples from various PES on how they promote fair recruitment.

The episode also explores how Slovenia is applying this in practice, from validating employment contracts before work permits are issued, to organising ‘Living and Working in Slovenia’ events in nearby countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia.

Key topics discussed include:

• The growing importance of fair recruitment: With skill shortages across Europe, PES are taking a more active role in ensuring ethical international recruitment.

• PES as trusted intermediaries: From assessing working conditions to coordinating with labour inspectorates, PES can help guarantee fairness throughout the recruitment process.

• Innovative practices from Slovenia: Bilateral cooperation with neighbouring countries and information events abroad are helping protect workers from misinformation or exploitation whilst providing comprehensive information on living conditions, rights and obligations under Slovenian legislation.

• Future opportunities: How the EU Talent Pool could provide a transparent platform for international recruitment, making it easier for employers to connect with jobseekers in third countries while promoting fair working conditions.

Further information:

Get the PES Network’s latest news, events and publications on its priority topics for 2025-2026. Sign up (https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/empl/user-subscriptions/3294/create ) to receive the PES Network newsletter!

You can also follow the latest developments from PES Network members in the PES Network LinkedIn group. Click here (https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13050888/ ) to join.

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.

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.

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

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]