From long-term unemployment to a matching job: The role of vocational training in sustainable return to work

from cedefop, a new publication



Skill deficits are a major bottleneck in sustainable activation of the long-term unemployed. Those managing to get back to work often end up in less complex and skill-intensive jobs and have fewer opportunities to develop their potential.

Those long-term unemployed not successful in making a transition to work are likely to face even more severe and complex skill deficits, among other problems. This report makes the case for a more forward-oriented, skills matching approach to activation that aims at sustainable labour market reintegration. Drawing on evidence and diverse practices from around Europe and the views of practitioners and experts, it presents approaches that put sustainable skills matching centre stage. The report shows how at different steps of the journey towards a job – engagement, programme interventions, and job placement, matching and follow-up – innovative principles, policies and tools can make the return to work of the long-term unemployed a long-lasting outcome.

Full publication (PDF 78pp)

---

Rethinking underemployment and overqualification in organizations: The not so ugly truth

an article by Katina W. Thompson, Pamela L. Perrewé and Gerald R. Ferris (Florida State University, Tallahassee), Thomas H. Shea (Right Management, Fort Lauderdale) and David M. Sikora (California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo) published in Business Horizons Volume 56 Issue 1 (January–February 2013)

Abstract

What comes to mind when you hear the term underemployment?
Does a slight, disapproving frown purse your lips?
Does pity flood your heart?
Or do forgotten mental notations to study the topic permeate your brain?

Although we are intimately familiar with unemployment and its effects, we are much less aware of underemployment and its impact on people and organisations.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in January 2012, underemployment was estimated to affect more than 10 million people in the American civilian labour force. Its magnitude suggests that underemployment is a significant issue for all involved.

By combining practical experiences from an outplacement firm (Right Management, headed by Thomas H Shea as above) and what we have learned from academic research, we herein describe five types of underemployment, discuss widely held assumptions about the issue, and offer suggestions regarding ways that organisations might harness the power of this economy-wide phenomenon.

Hazel’s comment:
It is, of course, not only in the USA that underemployment is a problem for many people. There are significant challenges faced by many people in the UK as well.

Related posts:
Involuntary part-time workers in Britain
Chasing graduate jobs?

---