ABSTRACT

This chapter describes some of the evaluation evidence pertaining to labour market programmes that was not covered in the meta-analysis. It discusses a broader view at the macro-economic or national economic impact of active labour market programmes, drawing on a small number of empirical studies from the United State and the United Kingdom (UK). The chapter suggests that training programmes did not always fail or prove ineffective when compared to work placement or job counselling services, and were, in fact, able to help participants into paid work. The effectiveness of labour market programmes, particularly training programmes that, in the UK, can extend over several months, is difficult to assess. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report was critical of training programmes, although perhaps less so than was often assumed, particularly in government circles. This report built on evaluations of the UK Employment Training and Employment Action programmes and the US JTPA-II-A programme.