Three transformations shaping the future of public employment services

Geneva (ILO News) – During the International Labour Conference 2026, the ILO interviewed Mr Ibrahim Ag Nock, Director General of Public Employment in Mali and Vice-President of World Association of Public Employment Services (WAPES) Africa; Mr Camille Mouté, Director General of Cameroon’s National Employment Fund and Honorary President of WAPES; and Ms Amandine Moignard, Executive Secretary of WAPES, on how Public Employment Services (PES) are responding to major labour market transformations.

The interviews show how PES are adapting to a changing world of work. Together, they explore how digital innovation, stronger institutional capacity and international cooperation are helping PES better support workers, employers and more inclusive labour markets.

Transformation 1: Expanding access to employment services through digital innovation

Digital innovation is helping PES address longstanding labour market challenges, including expanding access to services, improving the visibility of workers' skills and strengthening labour market information systems.

Across Africa, PES are using mobile technologies and digital platforms to reach jobseekers who may never visit an employment office. Examples from Mali, Benin and Senegal show how mobile applications, local-language interfaces and digital registration tools are transforming employment services.

Transformation 2: From reacting to anticipating labour market needs

As technological, demographic and economic changes reshape labour demand, PES are increasingly moving from reacting to labour market developments to anticipating them. This requires stronger labour market intelligence, closer engagement with employers and greater collaboration to improve job matching and support workforce transitions.

Regional networks such as the African Association of Public Employment Services provide a platform for PES to exchange practical solutions, learn from each other’s experiences and strengthen their capacity to respond to emerging challenges.

Transformation 3: Combining innovation with human-centred employment services

Globally, PES are strengthening their capacity to anticipate skills needs, support employers and ensure that vulnerable groups are not left behind. Despite advances in AI and digital technologies, human-centred support remains at the core of effective employment services.

Through its partnership with WAPES, the ILO supports peer learning among PES and innovation sharing. Initiatives such as the PROSPECTS Opportunity Fund Digital Accelerator and InterGEN show how this cooperation can promote more inclusive access to employment opportunities.

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As the specialized United Nations agency responsible for the world of work, the ILO supports PES as key institutions for promoting productive employment, facilitating labour market transitions and contributing to more inclusive and resilient labour markets.

About the team

This article was prepared by Zulum Avila, Technical Specialist Labour Market Services, based on interviews conducted with the support of Sandrine Portier and Michael Mwasikakata of the ILO.

Special thanks to WAPES and AASEP, in particular to Pierre-Alain Vandewalle, WAPES Communication Expert, for producing the English, French and Spanish subtitles for the interview videos.