The survey is part of a project with the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the World Association of Public Employment Services (WAPES). The World of Public Employment Services Survey was launched in two global webinars hosted by the project partners on Tuesday 30 January.  This is the third iteration of this survey which was last run in 2014.

Professor Alexander Nunn, Dean of Research at Leeds Trinity University was one of the expert peer reviewers for the 2014 survey and is now leading on organising the survey and data analysis. Professor Nunn will also draft several of the chapters for the final report, alongside fellow Leeds Trinity researchers Dr Andrew Morton, Research Support and Knowledge Exchange Officer who specialises in European Union Politics and Law, Dr Kostas Maronitis, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, Professor Steve Johnson, Professor of Business and Innovation, Dr Liam Wrigley, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, and Dr Stefano Ba’, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, and an international team of co-authors.

Public Employment Services (in the UK, this is Jobcentre Plus) are at the forefront of responding to several pressing global challenges such as digitisation, the growth of insecure platform work and adjusting to climate change by promoting a shift from unsustainable to green jobs. They remain crucial to promoting the post-pandemic recovery and promoting good quality jobs and inclusive growth, both of which are central to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

The survey is the only in-depth global source of data about the organisation, governance, services and resources of Public Employment Services. The current iteration of the survey will also focus on responding to climate change, insecure platform work and digitalisation and artificial intelligence.

Professor Alexander Nunn said: “This is an exciting and important project as the survey will provide a key information resource. It will be a crucial reference point for policy makers and practitioners wanting to learn from innovation and experience in other parts of the world. The results will also inform researchers who want to know more about the institutions which are central to the operation and inclusiveness of the labour market.”

Dulce Baptista, Senior Labour Market Specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank said: “We are thrilled to launch the second iteration of the World of Public Employment Services survey alongside the OECD and World Association of Public Employment Services. At the IDB, we are convinced that Public Employment Services are key to helping governments create and facilitate access to more and better jobs. They are also a key part of the pathway to a Just Transition and green jobs.

“The survey will help identify the information we need to support governments in Latin America and the Caribbean in achieving these goals and offer solutions that can be applicable and scalable in other regions of the world.”

The survey will run until April 2024 and findings will be published in a co-authored book and web database in 2025.