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Employee Training and Firm Performance: Evidence from ESF Grant Applications

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  • Martins, Pedro S.

    (Nova School of Business and Economics)

Abstract

As work changes more quickly, firm-provided training may become more relevant. However, there is little causal evidence about the effects of training on firms. This paper studies a large training grants programme in Portugal, supported by the European Social Fund, contrasting firms that received the grants and firms that also applied but were unsuccessful. Combining several rich data sets, we compare a large number of potential outcomes of these firms, while following them over several years both before and after the grant decision. Our difference-in-differences models estimate significant positive effects on take up (training hours and expenditure), with limited deadweight; and that such additional training led to increased sales, value added, employment, productivity, and exports. These effects tend to be of at least 5% and, in some cases, 10% or more, and are robust in multiple dimensions.

Suggested Citation

  • Martins, Pedro S., 2021. "Employee Training and Firm Performance: Evidence from ESF Grant Applications," IZA Discussion Papers 14153, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp14153
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    Cited by:

    1. Brunello, Giorgio & Rückert, Désirée & Weiss, Christoph T. & Wruuck, Patricia, 2023. "Advanced Digital Technologies and Investment in Employee Training: Complements or Substitutes?," IZA Discussion Papers 15936, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Miguel Jaramillo & Bruno Escobar, 2022. "Employment protection legislation and on-the-job training in an informal labor market: Evidence from Peru," Working Papers 184, Peruvian Economic Association.
    3. Giorgio Brunello & Áron Gereben & Désirée Rückert & Christoph Weiss & Patricia Wruuck, 2022. "Do investments in human and physical capital respond differently to financing constraints?," Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics, Springer;Swiss Society of Economics and Statistics, vol. 158(1), pages 1-14, December.
    4. Caliendo, Marco & Cobb-Clark, Deborah A. & Pfeifer, Harald & Uhlendorff, Arne & Wehner, Caroline, 2024. "Managers’ risk preferences and firm training investments," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    programme evaluation; productivity; training subsidies;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • H43 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Project Evaluation; Social Discount Rate
    • M53 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Training

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