PESPod - the insiders' guide to the EU labour market

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].

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

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 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]

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.

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.

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.

The PES podcast has the latest exciting news on the work of the Public Employment Services (PES) in the EU. The monthly podcasts are produced by the European PES Network. PES experts and researchers discuss a current labour market topic for everyone with an interest in the European labour market.

The PES podcast has the latest exciting news on the work of the Public Employment Services (PES) in the EU. The monthly podcasts are produced by the European PES Network. PES experts and researchers discuss a current labour market topic for everyone with an interest in the European labour market.

The PES podcast has the latest exciting news on the work of the Public Employment Services (PES) in the EU. The monthly podcasts are produced by the European PES Network. PES experts and researchers discuss a current labour market topic for everyone with an interest in the European labour market.

The PES podcast has the latest exciting news on the work of the Public Employment Services (PES) in the EU. The monthly podcasts are produced by the European PES Network. PES experts and researchers discuss a current labour market topic for everyone with an interest in the European labour market.

The PES podcast has the latest exciting news on the work of the Public Employment Services (PES) in the EU. The monthly podcasts are produced by the European PES Network. PES experts and researchers discuss a current labour market topic for everyone with an interest in the European labour market.

The PES podcast has the latest exciting news on the work of the Public Employment Services (PES) in the EU. The monthly podcasts are produced by the European PES Network. PES experts and researchers discuss a current labour market topic for everyone with an interest in the European labour market.

The PES podcast has the latest exciting news on the work of the Public Employment Services (PES) in the EU. The monthly podcasts are produced by the European PES Network. PES experts and researchers discuss a current labour market topic for everyone with an interest in the European labour market.

The PES podcast has the latest exciting news on the work of the Public Employment Services (PES) in the EU. The monthly podcasts are produced by the European PES Network. PES experts and researchers discuss a current labour market topic for everyone with an interest in the European labour market.

The PES podcast has the latest exciting news on the work of the Public Employment Services (PES) in the EU. The monthly podcasts are produced by the European PES Network. PES experts and researchers discuss a current labour market topic for everyone with an interest in the European labour market.

The PES podcast has the latest exciting news on the work of the Public Employment Services (PES) in the EU. The monthly podcasts are produced by the European PES Network. PES experts and researchers discuss a current labour market topic for everyone with an interest in the European labour market.

The PES podcast has the latest exciting news on the work of the Public Employment Services (PES) in the EU. The monthly podcasts are produced by the European PES Network. PES experts and researchers discuss a current labour market topic for everyone with an interest in the European labour market.

The PES podcast has the latest exciting news on the work of the Public Employment Services (PES) in the EU. The monthly podcasts are produced by the European PES Network. PES experts and researchers discuss a current labour market topic for everyone with an interest in the European labour market.

The PES podcast has the latest exciting news on the work of the Public Employment Services (PES) in the EU. The monthly podcasts are produced by the European PES Network. PES experts and researchers discuss a current labour market topic for everyone with an interest in the European labour market.

The PES podcast has the latest exciting news on the work of the Public Employment Services (PES) in the EU. The monthly podcasts are produced by the European PES Network. PES experts and researchers discuss a current labour market topic for everyone with an interest in the European labour market.

The PES podcast has the latest exciting news on the work of the Public Employment Services (PES) in the EU. The monthly podcasts are produced by the European PES Network. PES experts and researchers discuss a current labour market topic for everyone with an interest in the European labour market.

The PES podcast has the latest exciting news on the work of the Public Employment Services (PES) in the EU. The monthly podcasts are produced by the European PES Network. PES experts and researchers discuss a current labour market topic for everyone with an interest in the European labour market.

The PES podcast has the latest exciting news on the work of the Public Employment Services (PES) in the EU. The monthly podcasts are produced by the European PES Network. PES experts and researchers discuss a current labour market topic for everyone with an interest in the European labour market.

The PES podcast has the latest exciting news on the work of the Public Employment Services (PES) in the EU. The monthly podcasts are produced by the European PES Network. PES experts and researchers discuss a current labour market topic for everyone with an interest in the European labour market.