An NPR article http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2011/09/01/140122883/when-the-unemployed-become-effectively-unemployable has me pondering the world of work universe with one HUGE question:
Can an unemployed person be truly unemployable?
We all agree the global economy and technology have definitely been game-changers. They forced outdated, slow or inefficient processes to become obsolete. Does that mean a person who is an expert at those processes also becomes a dinosaur?
Of course not.
The reality of this complex, turbulent job market is quite simple: The worker who is unwilling to be re-trained can become unemployable because they refuse to adapt and learn new ways of working.
The employable workers share common sustainable traits:
Perhaps the strongest ability needed today is an enthusiastic attitude to let go of the old and embrace the unknown.
Imagine for a moment, you are the employer. Would you hire an experienced worker with no enthusiasm or an inexperienced worker with enthusiasm? The angst of change has robbed many unemployed workers of the energy and enthusiasm to be re-trained.
A possible solution
Unemployed workers who receive benefits longer than six months must be retrained. Their former job is likely not coming back. That doesn't make them unemployable. It makes them choose whether or not they're adaptable and willing not to become fossilized.
Can an unemployed person be truly unemployable?
We all agree the global economy and technology have definitely been game-changers. They forced outdated, slow or inefficient processes to become obsolete. Does that mean a person who is an expert at those processes also becomes a dinosaur?
Of course not.
The reality of this complex, turbulent job market is quite simple: The worker who is unwilling to be re-trained can become unemployable because they refuse to adapt and learn new ways of working.
The employable workers share common sustainable traits:
- positive attitude
- willingness to learn
- problem-solver
- strong determination
Perhaps the strongest ability needed today is an enthusiastic attitude to let go of the old and embrace the unknown.
Imagine for a moment, you are the employer. Would you hire an experienced worker with no enthusiasm or an inexperienced worker with enthusiasm? The angst of change has robbed many unemployed workers of the energy and enthusiasm to be re-trained.
A possible solution
Unemployed workers who receive benefits longer than six months must be retrained. Their former job is likely not coming back. That doesn't make them unemployable. It makes them choose whether or not they're adaptable and willing not to become fossilized.
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