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Back to School? Labor-Market Returns to Vocational Postsecondary Education

Author

Listed:
  • Böckerman, Petri

    (University of Jyväskylä)

  • Haapanen, Mika

    (University of Jyväskylä)

  • Jepsen, Christopher

    (University College Dublin)

Abstract

Outside the U.S., little is known about the labor-market returns to vocational (or polytechnic) postsecondary education. This paper focuses on the labor-market returns to polytechnic bachelor's degrees in Finland. Using detailed administrative data, we estimate person fixed effect models to study returns for individuals with labor-force attachment prior to polytechnic school enrollment. We find sizable earnings and employment impacts for polytechnic bachelor's degrees, although the returns vary by personal characteristics and field of study.

Suggested Citation

  • Böckerman, Petri & Haapanen, Mika & Jepsen, Christopher, 2015. "Back to School? Labor-Market Returns to Vocational Postsecondary Education," IZA Discussion Papers 9079, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp9079
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Rzepka, Sylvi, 2016. "Labor market returns to college education with vocational qualifications," Ruhr Economic Papers 633, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    2. Rzepka, Sylvi, 2018. "Labor market returns to college education with vocational qualifications," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 26(4), pages 411-431.
    3. Huang, Bin & Xu, Lei & Zhu, Yu, 2019. "Does the higher education expansion in the UK reduce the returns to education? A comparison of returning-from-work versus fresh out-of-school graduates," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 276-285.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    vocational education; postsecondary education; labor-market returns;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education

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