Insights and Innovations in Labor Market Solutions: Report on OECD LEED September 2024 Meeting
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmö, Sweden
Executive Summary of the OECD LEED Meeting held in Malmö and Copenhagen on 24th and 25th of September, 2024
The OECD LEED meeting, hosted for the first time jointly by Sweden and Denmark, convened over 400 international experts to discuss labour market solutions amidst the challenges of green transitions and demographic changes. Key topics included the integration of digitalization strategies, cross-border cooperation to enhance labour mobility, and innovative approaches to address labour shortages in ICT and other sectors. This report provides an overview of the discussions and actionable insights for PES members to foster employment opportunities and enhance public employment services.
Introduction
The OECD LEED meeting served as a platform to address the pressing issues facing today’s labor markets from a transnational perspective, emphasizing cooperation between countries. The sessions focused on practical solutions to integrate public employment services across borders, enhance job creation, and support sustainable economic policies.
Meeting Overview and Key Discussions
Opening speech
- Yoshiki Takeuchi and Anders Ahnlid: Highlighted critical labour shortages and the importance of green jobs within the OECD region. The discussions emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to tackle the green transition, demographic changes, and the integration of digital solutions.
Key Sessions:
- Cross-Border Collaboration: Discussed the importance of the Öresund Bridge and initiatives like the Copenhagen Airport’s role in regional employment, highlighting the success of mandatory English as a working language and the socio-economic benefits of eased border controls.
- Innovation in Public Employment Services: Various models of cross-border collaboration were presented, such as the partnerships between Vancouver and Seattle, and the initiatives led by the European Commission to dedicate resources to enhance labour mobility.
- Local Leadership and Social Inclusion: Sessions covered the role of local governments and public-private partnerships in transforming labour markets, with specific examples like the Yalla Trappan project in Sweden, which integrates low-skilled workers through vocational activities and language training.
Conclusions and Recommendations
- The meeting underscored the necessity of fostering international and cross-sectoral collaboration to effectively address labour market challenges. Recommendations for PES members include:
- Enhancing Cross-Border Partnerships: Encourage the adoption of successful models from other regions to improve labour mobility and job creation.
Supporting Sustainable Practices: Focus on green jobs and sustainable practices as integral to economic planning and development. - Integrating Digital Solutions: Leverage digital transformation to enhance public employment services, making them more efficient and accessible.