During the 25th Board Meeting of the European Network of Public Employment Services (PES Network), hosted by the Cypriot Presidency on 18-19 June 2026 in Nicosia, Heads of PES came together to discuss the role of Public Employment Services in key EU initiatives and how PES can translate the strategic objectives of the Union of Skills into practical labour market outcomes.

Following an update on ongoing and upcoming EU policy developments affecting PES (including the forthcoming Fair Labour Mobility Package and Evaluation of the PES Network Decision, revision of the Social Security Coordination rules, the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy), Board members exchanged views on their involvement in these initiatives. They also agreed on new steps to strengthen synergies between the PES Network and EURES.

Professor Marios Christou from the University of Nicosia then introduced a thematic discussion on the role of Public Employment Services (PES) in implementing the 'Union of Skills'. Workshop discussions allowed participants to explore three key areas in greater depth: promoting skills to strengthen enterprises' competitiveness, customer centricity, and support for job-to-job transitions.

Preparing for collective developments on AI Tools

Building on the work of the PES Network Digitalisation Working Group focused on Implementation of AI solutions, members confirmed their support to advance collectively to better share and pool digital tools at the European level to improve efficiency.

Engagement in Labour Migration

As Europe faces a global competition for talent, Board Members discussed PES involvement in two key EU labour migration initiatives. Talent Partnerships combine capacity-building in partner countries with skills development and training to enhance competencies, facilitating both local recruitment and labour mobility to EU Member States. Once operational, the EU Talent Pool will be the first EU-wide platform facilitating the matching of third-country jobseekers to job vacancies in shortage occupations. PES expertise and involvement are key for the successful implementation.

Closing and Handover

The meeting concluded with a handover from the Cypriot to the Irish PES, which presented the priorities for the upcoming EU Presidency (starting 1 July 2026). The next PES Board Meeting is scheduled for December 2026 in Dublin.

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