How Does ALMP Effectiveness Vary by the Intersection of Parenthood and Migration Background?

Ewan Pols , University of Antwerp
Jonas Wood, University of Antwerp
Karel Neels, University of Antwerp

Previous studies on the effectiveness of active labour market policy (ALMP) have repeatedly found heterogeneity in employment outcomes by gender and migration background. Although parenthood has been identified as an important factor in employment trajectories, scholars have only recently begun considering it as a moderating factor in ALMP effectiveness, e.g. accounting for interaction effects of ALMP and childcare provision on employment at a macro level. To date, no micro-level longitudinal empirical research has explored the role of parenthood in ALMP effectiveness, allowing for a detailed understanding of employment effects over time. This paper seeks to address that gap by examining how parenthood moderates the micro-level employment outcomes of ALMP training for jobseekers. Building upon literature on migrant-native differentials in employment trajectories after parenthood, we hypothesize that this moderating role parenthood also differs between natives and second-generation migrants. Using rich longitudinal microdata from Belgian social security registers as well as the Flemish public employment service, we combine dynamic propensity score matching and hazard modelling to explore variation in the effect of participation in untargeted ALMP training programmes on the probability of entering employment at the intersection of gender, parenthood status and migration background. Adopting a life course perspective, this paper is among the first to consider the role of this intersection in ALMP effectiveness. Our findings could inform policymakers about other mechanisms hampering employment, such as access to family policy, discrimination and lifestyle preferences. This is particularly relevant considering recent employment targets, underlining the importance of inclusive labour market participation.

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 Presented in Session P4. Migration, Migrants, and Mobility