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The Effect of Local Labor Market Downturns on Postsecondary Enrollment and Program Choice

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  • Andrew Foote

    (Center for Economic Studies U.S. Census Bureau Suitland, MD 20746)

  • Michel Grosz

    (Bureau of Economics Federal Trade Commission Washington, DC 20580)

Abstract

We examine how workers invest in human capital following unanticipated local labor market downturns. We find that, on average, two-year college enrollment increases by three students within three years for every one hundred workers laid off. This rise in enrollment accounts for half the observed increase in labor force nonparticipation following mass layoffs. Completions in career-technical programs also increase, especially in short-term certificates, but vary by field of study. We find the effect on completions is strongest in fields of study with larger earnings returns.

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  • Andrew Foote & Michel Grosz, 2020. "The Effect of Local Labor Market Downturns on Postsecondary Enrollment and Program Choice," Education Finance and Policy, MIT Press, vol. 15(4), pages 593-622, Fall.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:edfpol:v:15:y:2020:i:4:p:593-622
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    3. Chang Hyung Lee, 2020. "Minimum Wage Policy and Community College Enrollment Patterns," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 73(1), pages 178-210, January.
    4. Acton, Riley & Khafaji-King, Jo Al & Smith, Austin C., 2023. "Suspended from Work and School? Impacts of Layoff Events and Unemployment Insurance on Student Disciplinary Incidence," IZA Discussion Papers 16423, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    5. Gustavo Yamada & Oswaldo Molina & Daniel Velásquez, 2018. "Mining and Human Capital Accumulation: the Role of the Return to Education," Working Papers 135, Peruvian Economic Association.

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