The effectiveness of job search activation policies : the case of Barcelona Activa's job orientation and job search service

Abstract

This paper analyzes the effectiveness of a job search program using instrumental variables. The instruments used are travel time in public transport to the place where activities are done, and difference between enrollment and start of activities. In line with the literature, the intervention improves labor participation. We also see the lack of a general pattern regarding the greater or lesser immediate impacts of SORF activities. If anything, there would seem to be a certain tendency for the effects of participation to improve in the medium term. This finding goes against a significant part of the existing literature that concludes that the impact of job-search and orientation interventions tends to fade away within a few months of completing participation. In the case of SORF, the effect of participation increases six months and nine months later.