Employability

/ɪmˌplɔɪəˈbɪləti/ noun

Definition

The quality or degree to which a person is suitable for employment or capable of being employed.

Etymology

From employ + -able (capable of) + -ity (quality or state). Emerged as a modern concept in the 20th century with the rise of professional hiring and HR departments.

Kelly Says

Employers invented 'employability' as a term to shift responsibility onto workers—instead of admitting jobs are scarce, they blame people for lacking employability, which conveniently means workers must constantly update themselves to compete.

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