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Evaluating Retraining Programs in OECD Countries: Lessons Learned

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  • Dar, Amit
  • Gill, Indermit S

Abstract

Are retraining programs for the unemployed more effective than job search assistance? Governments of the member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development have considerable experience with retraining programs in a variety of industrial settings. Evaluations of these programs show that the results are disappointing, however. This article discusses the factors associated with retraining programs for two types of workers: those laid off en masse and the long-term unemployed. Evaluations indicate poor results for both groups: retraining programs are generally no more effective than job search assistance in increasing either reemployment probabilities or postintervention earnings, and they are between two and four times more expensive than job search assistance. Copyright 1998 by Oxford University Press.

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  • Dar, Amit & Gill, Indermit S, 1998. "Evaluating Retraining Programs in OECD Countries: Lessons Learned," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 13(1), pages 79-101, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:wbrobs:v:13:y:1998:i:1:p:79-101
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    Cited by:

    1. Caliendo, Marco & Künn, Steffen, 2011. "Start-up subsidies for the unemployed: Long-term evidence and effect heterogeneity," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(3), pages 311-331.
    2. Sandra Cavaco & Denis Fougère & Julien Pouget, 2013. "Estimating the effect of a retraining program on the re-employment rate of displaced workers," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 44(1), pages 261-287, February.
    3. Benu Bidani & Niels-Hugo Blunch & Chor-Ching Goh & Christopher J. O'Leary & Zhongmin Wu, 2009. "Evaluating job training in two Chinese cities," Book chapters authored by Upjohn Institute researchers, in: China in the World Economy, pages 137-155, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.
    4. Betcherman, Gordon & Olivas, Karina & Dar, Amit, 2004. "Impacts of active labor market programs : new evidence from evaluations with particular attention to developing and transition countries," Social Protection Discussion Papers and Notes 29142, The World Bank.
    5. Cavaco, Sandra & Fougère, Denis & Pouget, Julien, 2005. "Estimating the Effect of a Retraining Program for Displaced Workers on Their Transition to Permanent Jobs," IZA Discussion Papers 1513, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    6. Hansen, Ellen, & Avila, Zulum., 2012. "Preliminary assessment of training and retraining programmes implemented in response to the Great Recession :," ILO Working Papers 994684193402676, International Labour Organization.
    7. World Bank, 2005. "Azerbaijan : Enterprise Restructuring and Labor Redeployment, Volume 1, Main Report," World Bank Publications - Reports 8751, The World Bank Group.
    8. Marco Caliendo & Steffen K�nn, 2014. "Regional Effect Heterogeneity of Start-up Subsidies for the Unemployed," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(6), pages 1108-1134, June.
    9. repec:ilo:ilowps:468419 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Getahun, Tigabu Degu, 2016. "The Effect of Industrial Cluster Policy on Firm Performance in Ethiopia: Evidence from the Leather Footware Cluster," Discussion Papers 229713, University of Bonn, Center for Development Research (ZEF).
    11. World Bank, 2007. "Armenia - Labor Market Dynamics : Volume 2. Main Report," World Bank Publications - Reports 7846, The World Bank Group.

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