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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.

Transcribed - Published: 15 May 2025

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

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2025

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

The special, extended episode dedicated to the PES Network’s anniversary features insightful discussion and reflections from Network chairs, both past and present. This wide-ranging episode marks the development of the PES Network over the last decade including highlights, key achievements, milestones and the Network’s impact within the European labour market and policy landscape. The episode’s guests, alongside host and journalist David Poyser, are: Frank-Jürgen Weise: First Chair of the PES Network from 2014 to 2016 and former Chairman of the Executive Board of BA, the German PES; Fons Leroy: Former Chair of the PES Network from 2016 to 2018, and former CEO of VDAB, the PES of the region of Flanders in Belgium; Johannes Kopf: Former Chair of the PES Network from 2019 to 2023 and current Chair of the Executive Board of AMS, the Austrian PES; and Caroline Mancel: Current Chair of the PES Network Caroline Mancel, Deputy Director General of Actiris (the PES of the Brussels capital region). Caroline Mancel, the current chair, shares what makes the PES Network special to her, whilst Frank-Jürgen Weise, the first Chair, reflects on the benefits of formalising the network in 2014 and his opinions on the most important achievements in the Network’s ten-year journey. Fons Leroy discusses the focus on innovation and major transformations (“VUCA”) during his chairmanship, and Johannes Kopf, who served as the Chair during the COVID-19 pandemic and the invasion of Ukraine, highlights the value of the PES Network responding to these challenges. The episode also explores topics such as the evolution of the labour market, the continued developments of PES and the PES Network, AI-enabled services like the ChatGPT career counsellor in the Austrian PES, and the opportunities presented by the new European Commission. The episode concludes with a group discussion on the future of the PES Network and the guests' favourite memories from their time with the network. The PES Network Memo for the next European Leadership was highlighted as a key output to tackle the challenges of the future effectively. If you have any comments about this episode of PESPod or would like to suggest relevant topics for future episodes, write to: [email protected]

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2025

A Lithuanian Perspective on the Future of Work

This latest episode of PESPod – the podcast of the European Network of Public Employment Services (PES Network) - features a conversation with Inga Balnanosienė, Director of the Lithuanian Public Employment Service (PES) and First Vice Chair of the PES Network since January 2024. Speaking with host and journalist David Poyser, Ms Balnanosienė looks into the challenges, innovations, and aspirations shaping the European employment sector, including the introduction of AI and the importance of effective communication.

Transcribed - Published: 16 May 2024

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

In the 20th episode of PESPod, Spiros Protopsaltis, Chairman of the Board of Directors of DYPA, the Greek Public Employment Service, delves into the intricate landscape of the European Public Employment Services Network (PES) as it relates to the European Year of Skills and sheds light on key challenges and initiatives in Greece and beyond.

Transcribed - Published: 7 February 2024

Talking Mission and Ambition with PES Network Chair Caroline Mancel

The latest PESPod episode #19 features the recently appointed Chair of the PES Network, Caroline Mancel, discussing her background and what hopes and ambitions she has for the Network.

Transcribed - Published: 25 October 2023

Benchlearning - a brilliant European endeavour