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Does Self-directedness in Learning and Careers Predict the Employability of Low-Qualified Employees?

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Abstract

Employability has become a key element in sustaining successful vocational careers. The role of self-directedness is considered paramount in maintaining one’s employability. However, it also requires certain competences on part of employees to invest in learning and career development. This study examines the influence of self-directedness in learning and career of low-qualified employees on their employability. In a follow-up study of 284 low-qualified employees, we find that higher levels of self-directedness in learning and career of employees corresponds with higher chance to be promoted to higher-level job positions (vertical job mobility). However, no relationship was found between different formats of self-directedness and job retention or horizontal job mobility of lower qualified personnel.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Université Catholique de Louvain, Place du Cardinal Mercier, 10, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

    Isabel Raemdonck

  2. Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Education, Leiden University, Wassenaarseweg 52, Box 9555, 2300 RB, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Harm Tillema

  3. Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Andries de Grip

  4. Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Education, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000, Gent, Belgium

    Martin Valcke

  5. School of Business and Economics, Department of Educational Research and Development, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Mien Segers

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  1. Isabel Raemdonck
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  2. Harm Tillema
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  3. Andries de Grip
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  4. Martin Valcke
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  5. Mien Segers
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Correspondence to Isabel Raemdonck.

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Raemdonck, I., Tillema, H., de Grip, A. et al. Does Self-directedness in Learning and Careers Predict the Employability of Low-Qualified Employees?. Vocations and Learning 5, 137–151 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12186-011-9072-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12186-011-9072-7

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