Unemployment and employability : how firms can help

This dissertation shows that companies can make a measurable and significant contribution to the reduction of unemployment and the stimulation of employability of low educated persons. For this purpose, three private initiatives of Philips were studied: the Philips Werkgelegenheidsplan (WGP/Philips Employment Plan), Certification of Skills, and E (mployability)-miles (E-miles). The main conclusions are that a participant in the employment plan has an 18 percent bigger chance of finding a job than a comparable unemployed person who did not participate. This means that the impact of the employment plan is much more important than those of public re-entry tracks. Low educated people, who participated in the Certification of Skills track, averagely earn more afterwards, are promoted more often and less often dismissed than non-participants. Employees who make use of E-miles become more aware of the importance of personal development and training.