A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
More skilled, better paid: labour-market returns to postsecondary vocational education
Authors: Böckerman P, Haapanen M, Jepsen C
Publisher: OXFORD UNIV PRESS
Publication year: 2018
Journal: Oxford Economic Papers
Journal name in source: OXFORD ECONOMIC PAPERS-NEW SERIES
Journal acronym: OXFORD ECON PAP
Volume: 70
Issue: 2
First page : 485
Last page: 508
Number of pages: 24
ISSN: 0030-7653
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oep/gpx052
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/Publication/30992085
Abstract
Outside the USA, relatively little is known about the labour-market returns to postsecondary vocational (or polytechnic) education. Yet, polytechnics in Europe are distinct from US community colleges. This paper focuses on the labour-market returns to polytechnic attendance in Finland, where polytechnics are representative of many European countries. Using matching methods and longitudinal administrative data, we find that, compared to individuals with no postsecondary education, students who attend polytechnics have higher annual earnings of (sic)3,300 to (sic)3,700 and employment gains of 2.5 to 6.6 percentage points 10 years after the entry decision. However, the returns vary by personal characteristics and field of study.
Outside the USA, relatively little is known about the labour-market returns to postsecondary vocational (or polytechnic) education. Yet, polytechnics in Europe are distinct from US community colleges. This paper focuses on the labour-market returns to polytechnic attendance in Finland, where polytechnics are representative of many European countries. Using matching methods and longitudinal administrative data, we find that, compared to individuals with no postsecondary education, students who attend polytechnics have higher annual earnings of (sic)3,300 to (sic)3,700 and employment gains of 2.5 to 6.6 percentage points 10 years after the entry decision. However, the returns vary by personal characteristics and field of study.
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