Work‐based competences and careers prospects: a study of Spanish employees

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to identify the work‐based competences associated with better career prospects in the Spanish labour market.Design/methodology/approachThe relationship between employee‐based competencies and employment prospects is investigated through the lens of the competence‐based approach. The partial least squares (PLS) methodology is applied on a sample of over 5,000 Spanish employees.FindingsThe analysis establishes that skill, motivation, participation in decision‐making and the performance of non‐routine and complex tasks are associated with more favourable career prospects. Finally, it has also been found that human capital dimensions valued by firms vary with occupation, as clear differences have been observed between white‐ and blue‐collar occupations. In particular, social skills and motivation appear to be more relevant for blue‐collar workers than for white‐collar workers.Originality/valueFor the first time, this paper analyses employees' career prospects using work‐based competences as predictors. Additionally, the analysis is based within a very uncertain labour market, Spain, where high unemployment and an extensive use of temporary contracts seriously hinder workers' career prospects.