What Is Employability?
Employability refers broadly to the combination of capabilities, knowledge, skills, experience, attitudes and other qualities that help a person obtain opportunities, perform effectively and continue developing in work.
It is important to distinguish employability from simply having a job.
Someone may currently be employed but have few opportunities to develop, demonstrate or transfer their capabilities.
Another person may not currently have a job but may possess strong skills, useful experience and evidence of their ability to contribute.
What contributes to employability?
Depending on the career, employability may involve:
- technical skills
- communication
- problem-solving
- teamwork
- adaptability
- learning ability
- professional behaviour
- experience
- self-awareness
- evidence of achievement
There is no universal employability checklist that applies identically to every profession.
A person's employability should be understood in relation to the type of work they want to perform and the environment in which they want to contribute.
Employability Is Developmental
Employability is not something that ends once someone receives a degree.
Students develop it through projects and practical experiences.
Graduates develop it through applying their knowledge and building evidence.
Professionals develop it by updating their capabilities and responding to changing demands.
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