On the 23 and 24 June 2022, the 17th PES Network Board meeting took place under the host of the French Presidency in Lille. After 2 years of online meetings, the PES Network Board reunited for the first time after the outbreak of the pandemic for an in-person meeting.
Due to the persisting tragic situation in Ukraine, the PES Board put this topic high on the agenda. Together with Commissioner for jobs and social rights Nicolas Schmit and French Minister for Labour, full employment and inclusion Olivier Dussopt, the Board exchanged on recent developments and best practices in PES, discussing possible future scenarios. The discussion highlighted numbers of those registered with PES remain low. Outreach, recognition of skills and language training are key and many instruments can support PES’ efforts.
In the context of the European year of Youth the PES Network Board discussed the labour market integration of young people and their new expectations and impact on
PES service offers. The exchange focused in particular on the questions of work life balance, the meaning of the (work) life and the human dimension in the digital economy. It highlights that the relationship to work must be thought in a plural way, there are as many relationships to work as there are young people.
Next on the agenda was the topic on how the access to employment of persons with disabilities can be improved. Ahead of the launch of an ‘employment package’ announced in the Strategy for the Rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030’, the discussion focused on how PES can improve their services to persons with disabilities. The European Commission introduced the upcoming ‘Package to improve labour market outcomes of persons with disabilities’. Following a presentation of the upcoming PES Network toolkit, the reinforced cooperation between Pôle emploi and Cap Emploi in France was presented.
Core of the PES Network, our Benchlearning project will soon enter the 4th round. Currently the Network is setting up thematic learning dialogues, which will complement the 3rd cycle. As the 3rd cycle is coming to an end, the Board adopted an overall concept of the 4th cycle.
Day 2 was dedicated to a key topic for public employment services: how can PES benefit from artificial intelligence in the coming years? PES exchanged concrete approaches to the use of artificial intelligence by European PES with a particular focus on ethical implications. The OECD shared insights from the latest research activities on the topic. Our Dutch colleague presented the Dutch approach to using algorithms for profiling jobseekers and the setting up of an ethics committee. Dr. Sang Hyon Lee from the Korean Employment Information Service, introduced into the AI based job matching and career counsellors support system of Korea.
We thank our French colleagues from Pôle emploi for the organisation of this 17th Board meeting. We would like to wish you a nice summer break and we are looking forward to seeing you at the next Board meeting in December, under Czech presidency.
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