Demographic Change and the Role of PES – Reflections and Launch of the Working Paper from the G7 WAPES Working Group

Date and time 23 September 2025, 13:30 CET
Description
This members-only webinar marks the conclusion of the 2024–2025 cycle of the G7 WAPES Working Group. Over the past year, the group has worked collaboratively on the theme of demographic change and how public employment services are responding to shifting population dynamics across G7 countries.

The session will present the final working paper and highlight contributions from participating members, with a focus on five key areas:
– Technology and automation in the context of demographic change
– Inclusive labour markets for ageing populations
– Skill mismatch and employment opportunities
– Youth unemployment and demographic shifts
– Gender disparities and dynamics in employment

In addition to national presentations, the webinar will provide space for reflection and introduce the structure and topic of the next WAPES working group, which will focus on digitalisation in public employment services.

The event will be held in English , but interpretation will be available in French and Spanish.

Minako Takasaki

Deputy Director, Employment Policy Division, Employment Security Bureau (MHLW) & Project Coordinator (WAPES)·WAPES

Ms. Minako TAKASAKI is a Project Coordinator of WAPES (World Association of Public Employment Services), seconded by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), Japan, in November 2024. She has over 25 years of professional experience at the MHLW, covering general public employment service programs, employment measures for foreign workers, job counseling, employment statistics, and employment insurance since she began her career as a job counselor at the PES office (Hello Work). Before her current position, she was the first-ever female Head of the Employment Service Department at the Okinawa Regional Labour Bureau. She also served as First Secretary for Economic Affairs at the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Korea. She holds a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Public Studies.

Presentation topic: Inclusive Labour Markets for Aging Populations in Japan

Sophie Graveline

Acting Manager·Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)

Sophie Graveline is the Acting Manager of the International Relations team within the Skills and Employment Branch at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Since joining ESDC in 2022, she has led international engagement efforts on labour market policies and programs. Her work involves representing Canada and advancing strategic collaboration with key international organizations, including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Association of Public Employment Services (WAPES), and other multilateral bodies, such as the G7 and G20.

Romano Benini

Professor of welfare sociology and expert for the Minister of Labor·Ministry of Labor and social policies

University professor of welfare sociology, consultant to several governments and Labor Ministers, and consultant for the development of public employment services for the Italian government and several regions. Author of essays on economic and historical topics and creator of television programs on economics on Italian national television. He has served as president of public companies for local development and employment.

Isabelle Ibanez

Head of International cooperation·France Travail

With 22 years of experience in project and program management, Isabelle Ibanez has forged a career dedicated to organizational transformation and the modernization of public services.

At Pôle emploi, and later at France Travail, her expertise has been built through major projects over nearly 15 years. She designed and implemented training and support programs for more than 11,000 managers and counsellors, with the objective of strengthening their skills and continuously improving citizen services. Convinced that innovation is a key driver of transformation, she also supported 17 internal start-ups, guiding teams in creating practical, high-impact digital solutions tailored to the real needs of staff and users. These. initiatives have significantly enriched the service offering and accelerated the institution’s modernization.

Since 2024, Isabelle has represented France Travail on the international stage as Head of International Cooperation. In this role, she leverages her fluency in French, Spanish, and English, as well as her international experience, to share expertise and contribute to global development projects with peer public employment services. This position also provides a unique opportunity to learn from innovative practices worldwide and to integrate new perspectives into national approaches.

Sa motivation : placer les personnes et l’innovation au cœur de chaque initiative, afin de façonner des services publics plus efficaces, plus inclusifs et prêts pour l’avenir.

Nicole Clobes

Consultant·WAPES

Nicole Clobes is a certified intercultural trainer and educator, currently seconded to the World Association of Public Employment Services (WAPES) from the German Federal Employment Agency. She holds degrees in communication, education, and organizational psychology, and has worked in both frontline and managerial roles in public employment services since 2016. Nicole has led international cooperation initiatives and co-authored major publications in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank and the OECD.

She serves as the lead of the (G7) working group, where she coordinates international meetings and oversees the development of the G7 working paper.

Haben Gebremedhin

Consultant·Bundesagentur für Arbeit

I hold a degree in Labour Market Management and have several years of experience as a counsellor in Berlin. Since 2016, I have been working in the international field, leading a multi-year skilled worker recruitment project and coordinating activities across several partner countries. As the WAPES contact for Germany, I support international exchange and cooperation.