Applying the Employability Concept in Training Policy and Programme Design

The 2000 International Labour Conference defined employability as a key outcome of education and training of high quality, as well as a range of other policies. It encompasses the skills, knowledge and competencies that enhance a worker's ability to secure and retain a job, progress at work and cope with change, secure another job if she/he so wishes or has been laid off, and enter more easily into the labour market at different periods of the life cycle - Conclusion 9 of the Report of the Committee on Human Resources Training and Development adopted by the ILC. Basic education and training, as well as continuous training and lifelong learning, combined with learning in the workplace, have distinct functions in promoting an individuals employability over her/his lifetime.

The ILO is at present exploring the application of the employability concept in training policy and programme design, and the factors that are likely to enhance individuals access to decent work. As part of this work and following the request of the 2000ILC, the ILO is currently:

• identifying indicators on employability;

• preparing a manual on how the concept and indicators can be used for targeting training policies, investments and programmes.