The Short-Term Impact on Participants of Youth Employment and Training Programs

Abstract

The short-term impact of five youth employment and training programs on the labour market experience of participants is evaluated. The analysis is based on data collected in a November 1981 sample survey of 1500 young people who had finished their period of program assistance about six months earlier. The main conclusion is that the four job-based programs performed significantly better than the course- based one in terms of the subsequent labour market experience of the participants. The relative success of the job-based programs reflects the possibility of participants of thése schemes being retained by their placement employer once the subsidy is withdrawn. The paper also discusses how the different programs may assist participants in improving their labour market experience. The type of training and work experience, the value of contacts gained during the program, and the benefits of not being unemployed while searching for a job are briefly examined.