Strengthening Nepal’s Public Employment Service system

A national capacity building initiative aimed at strengthening Nepal’s Public Employment Service system is currently underway, focusing on building institutional effectiveness, coordination, and long term sustainability.

This month, a national training program titled “Shaping and Managing Effective PES in Nepal” is being conducted with the objective of enhancing the country’s Public Employment Services framework. The training brings together key stakeholders to reflect on how Nepal can build a responsive, inclusive, and results oriented Employment Services Centre network.

Public Employment Services are increasingly recognized as more than just administrative structures. Effective systems require strong institutional capacity, coordination across federal, provincial, and local levels of government, modern data management systems, and a shared national vision.

At the core of these efforts is the commitment to connect job seekers with decent work opportunities while ensuring employers have access to the skilled workforce they need.

The training sessions are centered around a fundamental question: How can Nepal move toward an Employment Services Centre network that delivers effective services and sustainable outcomes for both job seekers and employers?

Participants have engaged in in depth discussions on service delivery models, governance mechanisms, labor market information systems, and strategies for improving outreach to vulnerable groups.

Emphasis has been placed on aligning employment services with national labor market trends and ensuring that services remain inclusive, accessible, and adaptable to changing economic conditions.

The active participation, openness, and strategic thinking demonstrated by attendees reflect a strong commitment to reform and innovation. Their engagement signals that Nepal is laying important foundations for a modern and responsive Public Employment Service system capable of addressing evolving labor market challenges.

The initiative is being facilitated in collaboration with the International Labour Organization through its ILO Country Office for Nepal and the ILO Employment, Labour Markets and Youth Branch. The program is also supported by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, whose leadership has been instrumental in advancing employment service reforms in the country.

By bringing together national and international expertise, the training seeks to strengthen institutional capacity, improve service coordination, and promote evidence based policymaking. The collaboration highlights the importance of partnerships in driving sustainable labor market development.

As Nepal continues its efforts to enhance employment governance and service delivery, initiatives such as this training represent a significant step toward building a Public Employment Service system that is inclusive, efficient, and aligned with the country’s development aspirations.