Understanding juvenile unemployability: an exploratory study

Abstract

This study examined the concept of unemployability. A brief theoretical analysis using an expectancy model revealed that a major assumption of the model invalidates its potential to explain the behaviour of the unemployables, since they often have little choice in the labour market. Insights into the possible theoretical meaning of the construct were derived from an examination of current vocational behaviour theory. Vocational self concept, vocational maturity and work personality were found to be particularly helpful. A survey of 216 employable and unemployable young people revealed that the concept was not related to realistic judgement, a job-seeking pattern, and motivation since both employable and unemployable appeared realistic, looked for jobs in the same way and were motivated. However, the construct appears related to knowledge of an individual's preferred job and to confidence that such a job could be easily secured by the individual.