Policy note
Public Employment Services pressing ahead with digitalization should be aware of the digital divide
The internet is becoming a key resource for job seekers, entrepreneurs or those looking to make a career change. The digitalization of public employment services (PES) has accelerated in response to the COVID-19 crisis. To ensure they remain inclusive, PES should beware of the barriers limiting access to clients with low digital literacy and pinpoint solutions for making services easy to access, safe and as intuitive as possible.
This policy note stresses the critical role PES play in providing assistance to those clients who have insufficient digital skills, confidence or access to take full advantage of available jobs and career opportunities. The decision of moving services into a digital format should be backed by a stronger commitment to ensure such services are intuitive, safe and easy to access for all clients.