Knowledge from WCC/APAC Public Employment Service roundtable
Utrecht – NL, August 4, 2021. The WCC Group, a leading provider of advanced solutions for Public Employment Services and Staffing Agencies and ID/Security government agencies, has emphasized its commitment to supporting Public Employment Services (PES) worldwide as they tackle the long-term and emerging challenges around job creation and workforce development that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated.
As part of this commitment, WCC hosted a virtual roundtable with senior representatives from the Public Employment Services of Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The participants shared their insights and thoughts on the APAC pandemic labor market and how their respective countries have overseen shifts in their labor market strategies.
The experiences of each APAC country represented at the roundtable have been influenced by a variety of economic and social factors. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed several profound economic challenges, underlining the high percentage of informal unemployment and existing barriers to digital technologies. It has also called attention to rising gender inequality.
Across the region, long-term strategic and data-driven initiatives are needed to ensure resilient communities and economies. Financial support packages and furlough schemes have helped, but only represented short-term fixes. Moreover, as the labor market continues to evolve, public employment solutions will be needed more than ever, including robust digital transformation strategies.
While changing cultural perceptions of the APAC workforce and other socioeconomic factors clearly play a part in tackling labor market challenges, the panel agreed that technology plays a critical and transformative role in preparing Public Employment Services in the APAC region for the future.
“Technological solutions, from PES digital platforms to virtual interviews, have already helped alleviate some of the challenges brought to the APAC labor market by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the roundtable, it was heartening to hear how each country is overcoming various obstacles and we look forward to continuing our partnerships with public bodies in the region to support the enablement of a sustainable labor market that works in everyone’s best interests.”
Kong Ban Yip, WCC’s APAC VP of Sales
About WCC Group
Founded in 1996, WCC Group provides intelligent employment and workforce solutions that help organizations connect people with jobs and training opportunities more effectively. WCC supports public employment services across more than 25 countries worldwide and powers recruitment operations for leading staffing agencies globally.
Building on decades of expertise in public employment services and workforce matching, WCC recently expanded its portfolio with Workr, a solution designed to help large organizations improve internal mobility, retain talent, and better align workforce skills with organizational needs.
Powered by responsible AI and advanced search and match technology, WCC’s solutions enable skills-based matching and support more transparent and informed decision-making. Processing more than half a billion interactions every day, WCC supports large-scale labor market initiatives globally, including MyFutureJobs in Malaysia and recruitment operations for Robert Half in the United States.
About MSD
MSD is New Zealand’s agency for providing public employment services and delivering the country’s welfare system. Originally established in 1889 as the Old Age Pensions Office, MSD today supports around 1.4 million New Zealanders (around 28% of the population), with an annual budget of $47.5 billion (approx. 33.5% of core government spending).
The Ministry provides financial assistance to people of working age who may be unemployed and seeking work, temporarily or permanently unable to work due to a health condition or disability, or sole parents caring for young children. MSD also delivers New Zealand Superannuation, student loans and allowances, and Disability Support Services.
In addition, MSD assesses eligibility for social housing and works in partnership with organizations and community groups across New Zealand to improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. The Ministry collaborates closely with iwi and Māori to support the Crown’s obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi).