Experimental Design
The purpose of this study was to describe the active labor market tools used to help unemployed youth back into education or employment and to assess the effectiveness of the different measures. The randomized controlled trial was designed to test if further intensification of active labor market polices (ALMPs) towards youth would be successful in increasing employment for unemployed youth with a qualifying education, and whether similar programs could also help increase educational attainment for the unemployed youth without a qualifying education (i.e. could the policy achieve dual goals).
The intended treatment scheme applies to unemployed youth below 30 who became or were already unemployed in the period from November 2009 and the next 14 weeks in 14 (not randomly) selected job centers.
Members of the treatment group were divided into two groups based on their education level. Uneducated individuals were given a very intense and broad range of treatments that all aim at improving the skills of the unemployed and motivate/prepare them for undertaking ordinary education. The overall aim was to bring the unemployed closer to toward the educational system or alternatively, if their skills are deemed insufficient for undertaking further education, employment. The treatment for youth with a qualifying education was as follows; after an initial meeting with a caseworker and an information letter, the unemployed participates in meetings with a caseworker every other week for 14 weeks. Thereafter the unemployed is enrolled into a business oriented activation program (public/private wage subsidy or work practice). Treatment ends around week 32, where a meeting is held that puts the individual back into the standard regime and plan future activities.