The difference between employability and sustainable employability lies in the focus on long-term well-being and balance. Employability focuses on skills and flexibility to remain employable, while sustainable deployment It also emphasises personal growth, resilience and work-life balance. Sustainable employability ensures that employees are not only able to function, but also remain motivated and healthy in their careers.
What exactly does employability mean for employees?
Employability is the ability of employees to find work, retain it and function successfully in the labour market. It encompasses the combination of skills, knowledge, attitude and flexibility needed to remain relevant to employers.
The core elements of employability consist of technical competencies that are specific to your field, such as digital skills or specialist knowledge. In addition, soft skills such as communication, collaboration and problem-solving skills have become essential.
Flexibility plays an important role in employability. This means that employees must be willing to adapt to changing working conditions, learn new technologies and possibly even change jobs or sectors. An employable employee keeps his knowledge up to date through continuous development and remains alert to trends within his field.
How does sustainable employability differ from regular employability?
Sustainable employability goes beyond traditional employability by also well-being and long-term perspective Where employability focuses on being able to function, sustainable employability focuses on wanting and being able to continue functioning throughout your entire career.
The main difference lies in the holistic approach. Sustainable employability takes personal values, motivation and energy levels into account. It is not just about what you can do, but also about what you want to do and what gives you energy in your work.
Another crucial difference is the focus on resilience and balance. Sustainable employability recognises that employees cannot perform indefinitely without attention to recovery and personal development. The aim is to strike a balance between work performance and personal well-being, so that employees can remain productive and engaged in the long term.
While employability is often reactive (responding to labour market demand), sustainable employability is proactive. It encourages employees to make conscious choices about their career path and actively influence their future.
Why has sustainable employability become more important in the modern workplace?
Sustainable employability has become more important due to rapid changes in technology and the labour market. Employees must constantly adapt to new developments, which requires more than just learning new skills.
The ageing of the working population plays an important role. Employees have to work longer and therefore need a sustainable approach that maintains their well-being and motivation. A pure focus on employability can lead to overload and burnout.
Modern work pressures and the constant availability of digital devices make it necessary to be more conscious of energy and boundaries. Employees are looking for meaningful work that aligns with their personal values and stage of life.
Organisations realise that sustainably employable employees are more productive, creative and loyal. They therefore invest more in the well-being and long-term development of their employees, rather than focusing solely on short-term results.
How can you, as an employee, improve your long-term employability?
Improving sustainable employability begins with self-reflection and insight in yourself. Discover what drives you, what gives you energy and what your unique qualities are. This self-reflection will help you make conscious choices in your career.
Develop your skills regularly, but do so strategically. Choose development opportunities that match your talents and interests. For example, we use scientifically proven methods, such as BrainsFirst, to identify natural talents and cognitive preferences.
Build resilience by learning to cope with change and setbacks. You can do this by growth mindset to develop, seeing challenges as learning opportunities. Also ensure sufficient recovery and a good work-life balance.
Continue to proactively anticipate developments in your field and in the job market. Follow trends, network with colleagues, and remain curious about new opportunities. By looking ahead, you can make timely adjustments and seize opportunities.
Our sustainable employability programme supports employees in this development by providing insight into personal qualities and future opportunities. We help you make informed choices and proactively influence your own future.