Vouchers for Adult Education

In the area of adult education, we have conducted a large-scale randomized field experiment in Switzerland issuing vouchers for adult education. The aim was particularly to support low-skilled workers not only after they have become unemployed, but rather earlier by investing in their further education and training. Results indicate no significant effects on average of the voucher program on earnings, employment, and subsequent education one year after the program. But effects differ by the educational background of participants: Low-educated individuals are most likely to profit from adult education, but least likely to use the voucher. In addition, the public voucher program appears to crowd out firm-financed training. Overall, the findings cast doubt on the effectiveness of untargeted voucher programs in promoting labor-market outcomes through adult education.

Research paper:

The Impact of an Adult Education Voucher Program: Evidence from a Randomized Field Experiment (with G. Schwerdt, D. Messer, and S.C. Wolter). Journal of Public Economics 96 (7-8): 569-583, 2012