Countdown to Glory: WEC Awards 2025 Finalists Revealed

 

The WEC Awards are becoming increasingly popular, with 13 applications received across our four categories, including several first-time applicants. These submissions come from various countries around the world, including the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Australia, South Africa, Japan.

 

The heightened level of participation means that competition is tougher than ever. Who has advanced to the finalist stage? Let’s find out!

OUTSTANDING ADVOCACY

APSO (South Africa) – Enabling Effective Labour Markets through Public-Private Partnership

APSO’s initiative addresses South Africa’s high unemployment rates and skill shortages through strategic public-private partnerships. The Scarce Skills Model was co-developed, harnessing the knowledge and expertise of the private employment services industry as a labour market intermediary, and ensuring procedural compliance. The project streamlines the engagement between the Department of Employment & Labour and the industry to fill skills gaps faster, with a South African First principle. As a result, this initiative supports labour market transitions and paves the way for further partnerships, improving operational engagement at the national, provincial, and local levels.

 

Assolavoro (Italy) – The Most Impactful Liberalization Of The Italian Agency Work Sector In The Last Years

In 2024, Assolavoro undertook significant advocacy and lobbying efforts that resulted in the removal of several restrictions previously imposed on agency work in the country, such as the elimination of the 24-month limit for fixed-term assignments for agency workers hired under open-ended contracts. This represents the most impactful liberalization of the sector in recent years, a meaningful event in the current European context of stricter regulation of the temporary agency work sector. Additionally, Assolavoro’s advocacy focused on enhancing training opportunities for agency workers, notably through fiscal reform, releasing EUR 140 million for training programs.

SOCIAL INNOVATION

ABU (The Netherlands) – Perspective Statement: a chance for more temporary workers to get their own house

Since 2017, the Perspective Statement enables temporary workers to apply for a mortgage to buy a house. Vetted by all major banks and insurers in the Netherlands as a fully-fledged alternative to the regular employer’s statement required to apply for a mortgage, this declaration takes a forward-looking assessment of a temporary workers’ capabilities and potential to determine their employability and their long-term labour market position. The introduction of the Perspective Statement responds to a changing reality in which flexible forms of employment play an important role and offers temporary workers opportunities that were previously reserved to workers on permanent contracts. More than 16,000 statements have now been applied for, two-thirds of which have been granted and more than 50% of those granted statements have actually been converted into a mortgage to buy a house.

 

Federgon (Belgium) – The “Guide-me” Platform

Belgium is home to half a million long-term disabled individuals, yet it lacks sufficient initiatives to address this issue. Recognizing that the potential support of the private employment services sector has been underused, Federgon launched the www.guide-me.be platform. By consolidating valuable resources that were previously scattered among different providers, Federgon empowers long-term disabled individuals with opportunities to return to work. The ‘Back to Work Fund’ allows these individuals to purchase guidance from recognized private service providers. To qualify, these providers must demonstrate their expertise in labour market guidance by obtaining a quality label and completing specialized training offered through the Federgon Academy.

REMARKABLE INITIATIVE

JASSA (Japan) – Reskilling

Japan is currently experiencing a severe shortage of IT skills. To address this issue, the private employment services industry, under the leadership of JASSA, is enhancing the training and career development of temporary agency workers, notably through its e-learning service “JASSA Career College.” As a result, hundreds of workers have gained various IT skills and have been successfully placed with client companies. JASSA is now collaborating with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to explore the possibility of offering subsidies to companies that accept inexperienced temporary agency workers and provide them with on-the-job training. The next focus will be on advanced IT skills, particularly those required from the rapid deployment of artificial intelligence technology.

 

swissstaffing (Switzerland) – Enhancing Quality and Sustainability in the Staffing Industry through ”staffing city”

The staffing industry in Switzerland faces a significant challenge due to the lack of standardized training for internal personnel. To address this issue, swissstaffing has partnered with imc AG, a leader in digital learning solutions, to create “Staffing City”—an innovative and gamified virtual learning platform. Using a 2D/3D city interface, episodic storytelling, and dynamic progress tracking, “Staffing City” offers learners an engaging and practical educational experience. This initiative transforms training within the staffing industry by going beyond traditional e-learning and providing an immersive environment where staffing professionals can acquire industry-specific skills through a narrative-driven approach. By enhancing service quality and reducing errors and financial losses, this initiative helps avoid a negative reputation of the industry and the resulting risk of adverse regulation. These efforts demonstrate swissstaffing’s commitment to innovation, moving beyond routine operations to redefine industry training through technology and creativity.

THE TRAILBLAZER AWARD

APSO (South Africa) – Championing Flexibility & Decent Work in South Africa

APSO nominated Jonathan Goldberg, the CEO of CAPES, the industry’s lobbying body. An experienced labour lawyer and astute businessman, Johnny has developed a reputation as a fierce, but fair negotiator. For almost two decades, he has played a key role in championing flexibility in South Africa. Through his pragmatic approach, coupled with strategic insights, he was integral to several legal changes which shaped the labour market and delivered decent work opportunities in South Africa.

RCSA (Australia & New Zealand) – Talent’s Trailblazing Approach to Contractor Care

RCSA nominated Talent, one of its members which designed a multifaceted program to enhance the contractor experience. Based on research amongst their contractor community, Talent crafted an initiative touching across all aspects of contractors’ wellbeing: professional, intellectual, financial, physical, mental and social. This structure underpins a high-touch recruitment process, through the role of “Contractor Experience Manager” which offers a personalised experience at each stage of their journey. Going above and beyond the industry standard, Talent has not only redefined the contractor experience within the company but has also set a benchmark for the industry.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the winners after our Awards Ceremony, which will be held on 9 April during the World Employment Conference 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa.