Future challenges related to retaining an employable workforce

Abstract

An employable workforce benefits individuals and organisations alike as it facilitates career transitions and a more flexible utilization of human capital. This is particularly important for public sector organisations who have a more stable and older workforce and are increasingly under pressure to respond to the demands of contemporary society. However, little is known about public sector workers’ employability and how it can be stimulated through HRM. This chapter builds on different perspectives in the employability literature to provide a broad perspective of employability among public sector workers. The evidence suggests that while public sector workers perceive to have high levels of skills and competences, they also seem reluctant to engage in internal and external organisational career mobility. The chapter discusses opportunities for public sector employers to stimulate workforce employability through investing in HR policies that consider their workforce’s work and career motivations and demographic constellation.