In today’s fast-changing job market, waiting until you’re out of work is no longer an option. Across Europe, Public Employment Services (PES) are transforming from reactive job brokers into proactive partners — helping people stay ahead through career guidance, skills development, and collaboration with employers. The goal? A smarter, more resilient labour market where career security starts long before the job ends.
Your Career, Your Future: Europe’s PES Helps You Stay Ahead of the Curve
From Job Centers to Career Coaches
Europe’s PES Network recently published a thematic paper that reflects this shift in approach. Based on a 2024 workshop in Lithuania, the paper explores how PES are responding to the major challenges facing Europe’s labour markets — green and digital transitions, demographic shifts, and the ongoing impact of COVID-19.
The key insight? PES are no longer just focused on the unemployed. Instead, they now support people who might lose their jobs, or who want to take control of their career paths before a crisis hits.
This proactive model includes career advice, tailored training programmes, skills forecasting, and direct support for businesses. It’s a system built not just to react — but to prevent.
Career Guidance: More Than Just a Job Chat
One of the strongest tools in this new PES approach is modern career counselling, especially for people who are still employed but feel uncertain about their future. These services are now available across multiple platforms, with flexible schedules and formats to meet people where they are — online, in community spaces, or at the workplace.
But the real game-changer is personalised support. Building a trusting relationship with a career advisor helps workers reflect on their strengths, embrace change, and make confident choices about retraining or changing careers. Early support like this can prevent job loss altogether.
Helping Employers Future-Proof Their Workforce
Employers are also part of this evolution. PES advisors now often serve as HR partners, helping businesses plan ahead instead of reacting to workforce changes. That includes advising on recruitment, staff development, and long-term skills planning.
Crucially, PES make the case that investing in employee training isn’t just a cost — it’s a smart strategy to protect against talent loss, reduce turnover, and avoid expensive future recruitment. This kind of support is especially vital in sectors facing major disruptions due to automation, green energy, and digitalisation.
Training: A Smart Investment in Prevention
Public Employment Services increasingly fund or co-fund training programmes designed to keep people employed and competitive. These range from soft skills to highly specialised technical training — all aligned with local labour market needs.
This training boosts career mobility and helps workers stay ready for change. For employers, it’s a way to retain valuable staff and avoid layoffs. And for PES, it’s a strategic tool to fight long-term unemployment and its social consequences.
Many PES now also offer financial incentives for companies to retrain rather than release staff — a win-win-win for employees, employers, and society.
From Job to Job: A Smoother Transition
One emerging role for PES is guiding people through career transitions. Whether you’re changing industries, moving cities, or switching to a new type of work, PES can help you navigate the path.
With tools like skills assessments, job matching, and labour market forecasting, PES ensure workers are informed and ready for what’s next. And with low-barrier, easy-to-access services, people can get the help they need quickly — without jumping through bureaucratic hoops.
Forecasting the Future: Using Data to Stay Ahead
PES are also stepping up their role as labour market analysts. By collecting real-time data from employers, tracking hiring trends, and monitoring demographic and technological changes, they’re able to build accurate forecasts and make the case for investing in skills now — before problems emerge.
These insights fuel business cases that demonstrate the value of upskilling, helping both policymakers and business leaders make smarter, future-proof decisions.
A New Model for a New Reality
The message from the European Network of Public Employment Services is clear: the future of employment policy is prevention, not just intervention.
PES are evolving from crisis managers to career partners — working with individuals, businesses, and communities to build a job market that is not only stable but also agile and forward-looking.
Through flexible guidance, data-driven planning, and strategic investment in skills, PES are creating the support network Europe needs to face the future with confidence. For young people navigating a changing world of work, this shift offers something more valuable than any one job: career resilience.
Takeaway for Young Europeans
The next time you think about career planning, don’t wait until you’re in trouble. Explore your national PES — they might just be your best ally in shaping a future you can count on.
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