Does Work Disability Contribute to Trajectories of Work Participation before and after Vocational Labour Market Training for Job Seekers?

Abstract

The contribution of ill-health to labour market participation in relation to vocational training is unclear. Using nationally representative Finnish register data on 42,691 vocational labour market trainees in 2008–2010, we constructed latent trajectory groups of work participation in the open labour market three years before and after training, identifying groups called “High–High”, “High–Low”, “Low–High”, and “Low–Low”. We plotted further patterns of labour market participation within these trajectory groups and, using multinomial logistic regression, examined assignment to these groups focusing on previous work disability status. Those with compared to those without previous work disability had previous employment more often and spent less time in economic inactivity within the two trajectory groups with low pre-training levels of work participation. Having a previous work disability was associated with assignment to the “High–Low” trajectory group of work participation instead of the “High–High” comparison group. The associations of other background factors with the assignment to the different trajectory groups were relatively similar amongst those with and without previous work disability. However, some of these associations were weaker amongst the former. Along with other key background factors, previous work disability should be accounted for when assessing the effects of vocational training.

Does previous sickness absence affect work participation after vocational labour market training? A difference-in-differences propensity score matching approach

“…However, almost 30% of the LMT participants have been shown to have a work disability background. 15 A Danish study found positive employment effects of ALMPs among sick-listed workers, but the study did not have a non-sick-listed comparison group. 16 A Finnish study found that those with previous work disability were more often employed before LMT, but also experienced a stronger decline in their work participation after the training.…”

“… 16 A Finnish study found that those with previous work disability were more often employed before LMT, but also experienced a stronger decline in their work participation after the training. 15 Furthermore, work participation after LMT is likely affected by the diagnosis of work disability. While no studies exist on the association between diagnostic history and work participation among ALMP participants, studies have consistently shown that especially mental disorders are generally associated with poorer labour market attachment.…”