World Summit on Labour Market Activation 2025: perspectives and key lessons

From 18 to 20 June 2025, Paris hosted the Global Labour Market Activation Summit. This event brought together more than 40 delegates from 14 jurisdictions as well as representatives from major international organisations such as the OECD LEED Programme, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and WAPES. For three days, participants explored the major transformations in the labour market and the responses that can be provided by public employment services (PES).

A rapidly changing global context

The debates highlighted four megatrends that are reshaping labour markets: demographic change, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, the green transition, and changes in international trade. These dynamics are creating contrasting realities between North and South, but also within countries. While the economies of the North are faced with an ageing population and a shortage of labour, those of the South must rise to the challenge of integrating large numbers of young people into the labour market.

Priorities for the PES: inclusion, innovation and partnership

The discussions identified several key issues for the future of the PES:

• How can we support the rapid transition of skills in the face of AI and the ecological transition?
• What strategies are needed to activate inactive groups – young NEETs, senior citizens, women, migrants or people with disabilities?
• How can we strengthen cooperation with employers to better match job supply and demand?
• How can hybrid service models combining digital technology and human support be deployed effectively?
• What skills will PES need to support as they shift their role in the labour market activation?

The contributions from the ILO, the OECD LEED Programme and WAPES underlined the need for an integrated approach, anchored in the territories and geared towards the populations furthest from employment. Technological innovation, particularly through artificial intelligence, is a strategic lever for improving advice, profiling and training, provided that it is accompanied by clear governance and programmes to enhance staff skills.

Towards “new generation” public employment services

The discussions confirmed that the PES of the future will need to be agile, inclusive and collaborative, capable of networking with economic, social and educational players. Increasing the skills of advisers, personalising career paths and strengthening links with businesses will be at the heart of this development.

The full summary report co-written by WAPES and Deloitte reflects our combined insights and reflections from the 2025 Labour Market Activation Summit. WAPES and Deloitte will continue their collaboration through a series of webinars starting early 2026 dedicated to the skills of the future, transformational leadership and inclusive recruitment practices..

WAPES would like to thank all the delegates and partners for their valuable contributions to this event, which provided food for thought on the future of work and the role of public employment services.

Want to Hear More? Get in Touch:
WAPES Executive Secretariat | [email protected] | LinkedIn
Josh Hjartarson, Global Human Services Leader, Deloitte Canada | [email protected] | LinkedIn
Alia Kamlani, Global Labour Market Activation Leader, Deloitte Canada | [email protected] | LinkedIn