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Shifting the Training Choice Decision to the Jobseeker—The Slovak Experience

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  • Miroslav Stefanik

Abstract

We describe a reform in the allocation of training to unemployed jobseekers in Slovakia. Under the REPAS reform, unemployed jobseekers choose a specialization and training provider. This shift in responsibility from the caseworker to the client is comparable to the introduction of training vouchers under the German HARTZ I reform. Benefiting from research available on the German case, we first estimate the positive employment effects of training participation separately for the pre‐REPAS and REPAS periods. Second, we quantify and disaggregate the overall effect of the reform, which does not appear to be driven by a change in the composition of the participants. However, for at least one training specialization, this change does play a role in the short run. The overall reform effect is not channelled through the newly created segment of rare training specializations or high‐skilled participants.

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  • Miroslav Stefanik, 2021. "Shifting the Training Choice Decision to the Jobseeker—The Slovak Experience," LABOUR, CEIS, vol. 35(2), pages 192-213, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:labour:v:35:y:2021:i:2:p:192-213
    DOI: 10.1111/labr.12189
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    References listed on IDEAS

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