An evaluation of public-sector-sponsored continuous vocational training programs in East Germany

This study analyzes the effects of publicly funded continuous vocational training and retraining programs in the former East Germany after unification with West Germany in 1990. It presents econometric estimates of the average gains from training in terms of employment probabilities, earnings, and career prospects after the completion of training using a matching approach. The data are from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP), The GSOEP allows the researcher to observe individual behavior on a monthly or yearly basis. The results suggest that despite large public expenditures, there are no positive effects in the first years after training.