Lifelong Learning and Employability: The Interplay between Employees and Employers

Abstract

The popularity of lifelong learning increases worldwide among governments, professional bodies, professionals, and employers. Both the state and employers stimulate lifelong learning to improve flexibility and employability of workers. Employees and employers have different needs when it comes to professional development. The main aim of this study was to gain insight into the needs of employees and employers when it comes to lifelong learning. Also, insights were obtained about the interplay between them. To examine these subjects, interviews were conducted with HR-members, managers and relation managers of a Dutch banking company. It was found that there are no apparent contradictions between the needs of the employees and the needs of the employer. Also, it was found that there are factors influencing the interplay and the optimal functioning of the learning system in the organization. With this study, a contradiction was found compared to findings of other studies, which is an interesting contribution to existing literature. The influencing factors that were found during this research, form a strong basis for further research on these factors. Also, knowing about influencing factors, learning cultures in practice can be improved.