Where are the Returns to Lifelong Learning?

41 Pages Posted: 29 Nov 2015

See all articles by Michael Bernard Coelli

Michael Bernard Coelli

The University of Melbourne

Domenico Tabasso

IZA (Institute for the Study of Labour); University of Essex - Department of Economics; Fondazione Rodolfo Debenedetti

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Abstract

We investigate the labour market determinants and outcomes of adult participation in formal education (lifelong learning) in Australia, a country with high levels of adult education. Employing longitudinal data and fixed effects methods allows identification of effects on outcomes free of ability bias. Different trends in outcomes across groups are also allowed for. The impacts of adult education differ by gender and level of study, with small or zero labour market returns in many cases. Wage rates only increase for males undertaking university studies. For men, vocational education and training (VET) lead to higher job satisfaction and fewer weekly hours. For women, VET is linked to higher levels of satisfaction with employment opportunities and higher employment probabilities.

Keywords: adult education, lifelong learning, vocational studies, returns to education

JEL Classification: J24, J28, I23, I28

Suggested Citation

Coelli, Michael Bernard and Tabasso, Domenico and Tabasso, Domenico, Where are the Returns to Lifelong Learning?. IZA Discussion Paper No. 9509, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2696307 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2696307

Michael Bernard Coelli (Contact Author)

The University of Melbourne ( email )

Melbourne, 3010
Australia
+61 3 8344 8586 (Phone)
+61 3 8344 6899 (Fax)

Domenico Tabasso

University of Essex - Department of Economics ( email )

Wivenhoe Park
Colchester CO4 3SQ
United Kingdom

IZA (Institute for the Study of Labour) ( email )

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Fondazione Rodolfo Debenedetti ( email )

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Room 5.C1-11
Milan, Milano 20136
Italy

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