employability

American  

[em-ploi-uh-bil-i-tee] / ɛmˌplɔɪ əˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

1. the fact, condition, or degree of being employable, especially in terms of work skills or readiness for the job market.

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Explanation

A person's employability is anything that makes them able to get and keep a job. If nurses are in high demand, a nursing college might rightfully brag about the employability of its graduates. Employability comes from employ, or "hire for a job," and its Latin root, implicare, which means "to be connected with." Your employability is your ability to be employed, or to have paid work. In general, college graduates are thought of as having better employability, but it depends what kind of job they're trying to get. If you want to work as an electrician, your training and experience matter a lot more than your education, when it comes to employability!

Example Sentences

In 2023, the bank announced it would fund a three-year digital skills and employability programme, delivered by Belfast Met, for 600 people from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

From BBC • Sep. 13, 2025

Participants' employment status and employability were assessed at age 18.

From Science Daily • Mar. 14, 2024

The reason given for this was high participation in integration and language courses, intended to boost employability.

From Reuters • Jul. 12, 2023

Workers need national minimum wage rises as part of a wholesale improvement to tackle employability and improve job market prospects.

From Salon • May 24, 2023

Human capital is a person’s education, job credentials, and employability.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times