The Forem looks like a big liner in the landscape of Walloon public tools. And like all large structures, it is not easy to make it change course radically and quickly. However, it would seem that the person who currently presides over the destiny of Forem, Raymonde Yerna – a former socialist cabinet minister who passed through IFAPME before replacing Marie-Kristine Vanbockestal at the head of the institution – has anticipated certain changes.
For eight months, to sustainably transform Forem habits, a group called “project management unit” was put in place. Its objective is to support the various changes that will take place internally to install new ways of working.
A study shows that Wallonia is close to full employment: “But this is not good news in itself”
Is the position of the boss of Forem threatened?
Raymonde Yerna also knows that her place at the head of the institution is not assured. With the arrival of an MR-Engaged government in Wallonia, anyone who occupies high positions, moreover with a certain proximity to the PS, does not have the guarantee of retaining their mandate. Everything will depend on ongoing negotiations between partners, negotiations which prove to be complicated. Raymonde Yerna, who was previously at the head of IFAPME, a professional training organization dependent on the Walloon Region, nevertheless had good press with her supervisory minister at the time, Willy Borsus (MR). As he is no longer a minister, she must however forge other links and demonstrate an ability to collaborate with her new minister. For the time being, she would benefit from good attention from the cabinet.
Accelerated support by Forem, reform of EPAs, temporary work permits for migrants: the employment plan of the new Walloon government
What also fundamentally changes things at Forem is the question of resources. No one is against this desire to accelerate the employment (or training) of job seekers. But the question of means will arise, even if at Forem we seem ready to find solutions. Remember that parastatals will have to do better with fewer resources. It is up to the management committee and the management of Forem to propose savings avenues which must be on Minister Jeholet’s desk by February 2025.
