Networking in the labour market policy making Kerstin Peterson Ministry of Social Affairs of Estonia Labour Market Department

Background information of the labour market situation

Changes in employment and unemployment rates ( )

Number of employed and unemployed

Employment rate according to gender , %

Unemployment rate according to gender , %

Current challenges in the labour market Preventing long-term unemployment and dismay; Fighting youth unemployment (preventing long- term unemployment among the young); Integrating people with low obtained educational levels into the labour market/rising the level of education obtained; Skills mismatch and deficiency in the prognosis system; Aging population; Broadening access to career services; More jobs; …

Networking in labour market policy making

Reasons for involving network partners Policy formulation in general –Problem solving (to find ad hoc, tailor-made solutions) –Extensive changes in conceptual approaches Most common: exchange of information …

Most common network partners Ministries –Most commonly: Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Education and Research Local governments Subject-specific network partners –Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund* –National Resource Centre for Guidance –The Vocational Rehabilitation Centre of Astangu –The Estonian Chamber of Disabled People –Estonian Youth Work Centre –…

Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund A legal person in public law; Organises the provision of labour market services and grants labour market benefits (to job seekers and the unemployed): –On-line services –Face-to-face services (offered by EUIF consultants) –Delegated services Local offices in each county –Altogether 27 offices and bureaus

Forms of networking Definition Formal* or “informal” = Regular or irregular cooperation Some examples: –Formulation of social code of laws* –The compilation of ‘Estonia 2020’ Strategy –Participation in the National Guidance Forum –Mostly: Thematic-specific work groups *Officially declared

Evaluation of the current operation of networks Negative sides: Too many “ad-hoc-networks” –Awareness of the operating networks –Double work (changes in personnel) Dissemination of work outcomes Positive sides: The experience of the National Guidance Forum The experience of the compilation of ‘Estonia 2020’ Strategy Effective use of time and resources

Thank you for your attention! For any further information: