Learning at the workplace and sustainable employability: a multi-source model moderated by age

Abstract

This study, among 330 pairs of employees and their supervisors, tested whether self- versus supervisor ratings of five employability dimensions (occupational expertise, corporate sense, personal flexibility, anticipation and optimization, and balance) are associated with different learning characteristics in the workplace, and whether age moderates these relationships. Results of structural equation modelling showed that the learning value of the job positively related to both self- and supervisor ratings of corporate sense, personal flexibility, and anticipation and optimization. Applicability in the job of recently followed training and development programmes was associated with all dimensions of self-rated employability and with supervisor ratings of anticipation and optimization. Regarding the hypothesized age moderation effects, contrary to our expectations, it was found that both learning value and applicability of training and development related more strongly to self-rated anticipation and optimization for younger workers. In addition, age appeared to moderate the otherwise non-significant relationship between learning value and self-rated occupational expertise. Implications for Human Resource Development (HRD) practices are discussed. As learning characteristics are differentially related to the unique employability dimensions, tailor-made development programmes are key. Moreover, it is advocated that having a job with a high learning value is an important factor in the light of the employee’s sustainable employability.

Keywords:

• learning at work
• sustainable employability
• multi-source ratings
• age

Notes

1. We also tested one-factor employability models for employees and supervisors to see if they might be good alternatives to the five-factor structures, as the basis for further analyses. This dramatically decreased the model fit. For the self-report ratings, the chi-square increased from χ²_{(25 df)} = 33.78 to χ²_{(35 df)} = 515.95, Δχ²_(10fdf) = 482.17. For the supervisor ratings: from χ²_{(25 df)} = 67.04 to χ²_{(35 df)} = 477.45, Δχ²_{(10 df)} = 410.41.