Arbeidsrelevantie

Arbeidsrelevantie is a concept used in labor market policy, vocational rehabilitation, and employment services to describe the degree to which a person’s competences—skills, knowledge, and physical or psychological capacity—are relevant and applicable to performing work tasks that are available in the labor market or within a specific job. The assessment considers current abilities, past work experience, education, potential for further training, and any health-related or practical constraints. Transferable skills and adaptability are central factors, as are the requirements of different occupations or sectors.

In practice, arbeidsrelevantie informs decisions about return-to-work plans, disability benefits, eligibility for retraining programs, and job placement strategies. It is used by vocational counselors, occupational physicians, and human resources professionals to determine suitable job matches and necessary accommodations, such as adjusted work hours, equipment, or supportive supervision. The aim is to maximize sustainable employment by aligning an individual’s profile with realistic job opportunities.

Assessment approaches include job analysis, competency mapping, functional capacity evaluations, and discussions about career goals. Because job requirements evolve with technology and markets, regular reassessment is recommended. Limitations include variability in thresholds across programs and the risk of bias if criteria are not current or inclusive.