Technology in public employment services to promote youth employment in Asia and the Pacific

This ILO multi-country study on the role of technology in public employment services (PES) for youth employment in Asia and the Pacific provides insights into (i) How PES are digitally transforming themselves, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic; and (ii) How PES are using technology to support youth to enter the labour market. The research provides both general (quantitative) insights about developments in the region, as well as qualitative insights from case studies, examples and good practices from PES in Asia and the Pacific, as well as from selected other PES around the world. This is based on data collected from 11 PES in the region (Australia, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Viet Nam), varying from high- to middle-income countries with varying stages of digital transformation of societies and governments.

Public employment services have a key role to play in supporting the transitions of workers, particularly young women and men, in the Asia and the Pacific region and helping them access productive employment and decent work. Technology plays an increasingly important role in labour markets and the functioning of governments. PES need to both address the changing needs of labour markets as well as navigate the digital transformation of modern government agencies. Youth are often at the forefront of technology adoption in societies. At the same time youth are often in a more precarious labour market position than adults and need effective PES approaches that offer more personalized, targeted services and Active Labour Market Policies to navigate a rapidly changing world of work. Technologies, if well designed and implemented, provide government agencies with an opportunity to enhance inclusive outreach and delivery of their services to youth.