Bridging the gap from welfare to education: Propensity score matching evaluation of a bridging intervention.

Michael Rosholm,Mai Bjørnskov Mikkelsen,Michael Svarer

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0216200

Michael Rosholm, Mai Bjørnskov Mikkelsen + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216200

Copy DOI

Abstract

We evaluate a bridging intervention for a group of young people aged 18–29, with no formal educational qualifications, who are not in employment, education or training. The bridging intervention consisted of classroom training, educational internships and mentoring. Based on Danish register data with a large number of control variables, a propensity score matching estimator was applied to assess the effectiveness of the bridging intervention. The results show that the bridging intervention was effective in increasing educational enrollment and completion for all participants. The effects of the intervention were particularly large for participants assessed to be ‘not ready for education’ and those diagnosed with psychiatric disorders suggesting that the bridging intervention may be especially beneficial for these subgroups.

Highlights

The majority of young people fare well in adulthood, acquire an education and become steady workers, a significant subgroup fails to do so
It is not a requirement that the young person attends nor passes this exam, but in order to commence high school, passing it is required. No such requirement was present for entering vocational school at the time the intervention took place
The results reveal that those registered as being enrolled in high school or had already completed high school were less likely to participate in the bridging intervention, while those enrolled in vocational schools were more likely to participate

Summary

Introduction

The majority of young people fare well in adulthood, acquire an education and become steady workers, a significant subgroup fails to do so. NEET young people represent a large economic burden for society and being a NEET has a negative impact at the individual level, manifesting as low social, physical and mental wellbeing [3,4,5,6]. Considering the costs to society as well as the negative individual consequences of being a NEET, there is a pressing need for effective interventions targeting NEET young people. The existing evidence concerning interventions targeting disadvantaged and NEET young people tends to show weak effects on educational attainment, employment, unemployment, wages, and welfare receipt, and no effects on health measures [2,7,8].

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion