The effects of public sector sponsored training on unemployment duration in West Germany : a discrete hazard rate model based on a matched sample

This study analyses the effects of public sector sponsored vocational training (PSVT) on individuals’ unemployment duration in West Germany for the period from 1985 to 1993. The data is taken from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP). To resolve the intriguing sample selection problem, i.e. to find an adequate control group for the group of trainees, we employ matching methods. These matching methods use the individual propensity to participate in training, which is obtained by estimating a panel probit model as the main matching variable. On the basis of the matched sample a discrete time hazard rate model is utilized to assess the effects of training participation on unemployment duration. Our results indicate that a significant positive effect on reemployment chances due to PSVT can only be expected for courses with a duration of no longer than six months. No significant positive effects on post-training reemployment chances where found for courses lasting longer than six months. In fact these PSVT courses are significantly less effective at increasing reemployment chances than those lasting no longer than three months. JEL classification: C40, J20, J6