The first event was conducted in February for directors of employment centers. The second training  focused on improving skills of the PES officials working directly with job seekers. The event brought together  more than 70  PES staff from all districts of Azerbaijan.

"Stronger PES will help the Government of Azerbaijan to couple economic diversification with inclusive labour market policies providing more and better opportunities for decent and productive work to job seekers and vulnerable groups,"- said Mikhail Pouchkin, Senior Employment Specialist of the ILO Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Senior officials and representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population, the Trade Unions Confederation (ATUC), the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers') Organisations (ASK), State Employment Agency, and the International Labour Organization (ILO), as well as external experts, participated in the event.

In his welcoming address, Matin Karimli, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population, emphasized that strengthening PES and implementation of the new Employment Strategy, developed with the ILO support, are among the priorities of the 2016–2020 Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP).  “Policy dialogue between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the ILO covers a range of issues, including improving legislation and capacity building. This cooperation contributed to the development of the State Employment Policy aimed at efficient use of human resources, building inclusive labour market and promoting decent and productive jobs. One of important elements of the  policy is strengthening capacities and skills of the PES staff. Thfat is  why this  is so  important.”

This course covered a broad range of topics, such as an overview of PES, its key services and functions; passive and active labour market programmes, including those targeting youth and vulnerable groups; labour market information system, career guidance and other relevant issues.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) experts covered Issues of rural employment and entrepreneurship. It was the first such training organized by the ILO in cooperation with the UNDP in Azerbaijan. Such inter-agency cooperation is a prerequisite  for an effective support of national constituents in achieving UN SDGs where productive employment and decent work for all is one of the goals.

Representatives of the State Employment Service of Azerbaijan and the State Statistical Committee made valuable contributions to the training.

The training was delivered within the framework of the ILO’s Technical Cooperation Project “Partnerships for Youth Employment in the CIS” supported by the  LUKOIL oil company and implemented by the ILO Moscow Office. Next training session for PES staff is scheduled for autumn 2017.