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The impact of training on productivity and wages: evidence from British panel data

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Listed:
  • Lorraine Dearden

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies and University College London)

  • Howard Reed

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies)

  • John Van Reenen

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies)

Abstract

It is standard in the literature on training to use wages as a sufficient statistic for productivity. This paper examines the effects of work-related training on direct measures of productivity. Using a new panel of British industries 1983-1996 and a variety of estimation techniques we find that work-related training is associated with significantly higher productivity. A one percentage point increase in training is associated with an increase in value added per hour of about 0.6% and an increase in hourly wages of about 0.3%. We also show evidence using individual level datasets that is suggestive of training externalities.

Suggested Citation

  • Lorraine Dearden & Howard Reed & John Van Reenen, 2005. "The impact of training on productivity and wages: evidence from British panel data," IFS Working Papers W05/16, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
  • Handle: RePEc:ifs:ifsewp:05/16
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Productivity; training; wages; panel data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity

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