On-the-job training and Labour Mobility

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze the effects of on-the-job training on the attainment of job stability and professional advancement. The paper begins with an introduction to the different theoretical approaches relating this type of training with career mobility. In addition, the job and worker characteristics theoretically associated with a higher educational level are presented. The empirical analysis is based on observations obtained through a longitudinal survey which reconstructs the work histories of a sample of young people. By means of logistic regression techniques and Cox proportional hazard models, the effects of on-the-job training on the following is analyzed: the risk of becoming unemployed, voluntary job changes and professional advancement within companies. The results indicate that the attainment of job stability and the establishment of a professional career depend more on access to specific training in initial jobs than on the mere accumulation of work experience or of educational credentials.