Unemployed: training and development, employability and social support
This paper discusses findings from an exploratory study concerning the type, frequency of use and the impact of social networking sites on unemployed. The objectives were to assess unemployed participants' under training on the usage of social networking sites, and the degree to which these helped them increase their opportunities for employability and educational enhancement. Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were used. The results affirmed that the 12 week course, has helped them improve their interpersonal communication skills and contributed to their psychological uplift and social support. Furthermore, over 80% of them use social networking sites from one to four hours per day for both job hunting and networking, and they stated that they were leaving the program more hopeful and optimistic for successful employment opportunities. The paper contributes to the research on social networking and the education of the unemployed in a country where similar research is sporadic.