The newspapers are full of it, the skill gap. We have been trained for years, but the things that really make you better in your profession and are useful now, such as digital skills, were often not included. We look differently at knowledge and competences. Flexibility is the most important characteristic of a successfully employable employee. How are we going to equip people with the skills that will be needed in the future, and actually are needed now? What does this mean for the employer and what can an employee do to be and remain successfully employable?
This week, Simon Beausaert is a guest on the Work Professor. Simon is Head Professor of Workplace learning in the Department of Educational Research and Development at Maastricht University, School of Business and Economics.
Employability
Employability refers to multiple competencies and competencies in turn refers to knowledge, skills and certain attitudes. Simon: "In the past, people would have said you are employable if you have knowledge and you have the necessary expertise to perform your job well. But today that is different. There is much more to it than just having the necessary expertise. Take flexibility, for example. If you really want to be employable, you need to be able to deal flexibly with changes in the environment. You have to be able to actively anticipate this." But that's not all, according to Simon. You have to be a team player and committed to the organization. And if you think that means you've had it all, you're wrong. Ensure a balance between private and professional life. This is another competency that some have more than others.
Encourage
As a manager, it is important to encourage your employees to keep learning. Allow employees to make mistakes, because it is from this that they will learn. Don't punish them immediately. "During a performance appraisal, do not emphasize whether they have done all the tasks well, but emphasize what they have learned, what does that mean for the coming year, where are there still opportunities and how can you as a manager help make those learning opportunities possible."
A distinction is made between formal and informal learning. In formal learning, for example, one receives training from a teacher. Informal learning consists of individual as well as social learning.
Wondering what else Simon has to say? Then check out the latest episode of the Work Professor.
Links
More about Simon Beausaert
More about the Working Professor
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