Introducing employability

Abstract

First paragraph: It is over 100 years since ‘employability' emerged as a concept in debates surrounding unemployment and labour markets (Gazier, 1998). However, during the past decade the concept has commanded a central place in labour market policies in the European Union, the UK's New Deal and elsewhere at national, regional and local levels (see for instance OECD, 1998; CEC, 1999, 2003; ILO, 2000). At local and regional levels, employability has been the foundation of many labour market policies and this Special Issue gives due prominence to the geographical dimensions, especially as they relate to urban areas. The papers are mostly drawn from a joint working group established by the Regional Studies Association and the Regional Science Association (British and Irish Section) and explore the conceptual and spatial elements of employability. The papers were delivered at seminars held at Napier University and the University of Warwick in 2002-03 and were informed not only by the individual researchers but also by the extensive feedback from academics, policymakers and practitioners participating from across the two Associations and elsewhere.