Upgrading Employability of Unemployed as Constructive Individualization

Abstract

AbstractUnemployment is the major barrier hindering constructive individualization in European societies. The upgrading of the employability of unemployed is an efficient mechanism for reducing destructive impacts of unemployment on individuals and society. The upgrading can be achieved both on the “supply” and the “demand” side of the labor market. How can the upgrading of employability of unemployed be facilitated in order to increase their chances for constructive individualization in working life? A comprehensive answer requires concept development, operationalization of concepts and testing of results. In the article the process is exemplified by references to active labor market policies in Austria and Slovenia. The analysis of similarities and differences between the cases leads to the identification of promising approaches to upgrading the employability of unemployed.