Chapter 1: The Enigma of Employability

In this introduction to the volume, we explore the topic of employability, arguing that it has an enigmatic character that renders it in dire need of sustained, critical analysis. We provide a framework for thinking about the enigma of employability – as ideology, policy, and practice. We then introduce the chapters that make up this volume, guiding readers through the differing theoretical perspectives and empirical settings and highlighting what we see as its central contributions.