An analysis of the success of privately-led job search assistance programs against social exclusion

Abstract

This paper examines an active and personalized job search program led by private entities called Feina amb Cor, which started in Barcelona in 2013 as an alternative to government-led employment services. The program aimed at helping long-term unemployed under high exclusion risk to find a job. Our findings, based on data obtained from subsequent interviews to participants before and after passing through the six-month program, suggest that changes in the job search technology seem to contribute to the high employability rate among participants. Also, we find some evidence about their improved well-being due to the program, what may have boosted their employment prospects. However, the program seems to offer jobs of short duration and working hours, what is consistent with the literature evaluating these kinds of programs. Thus, the paper offers new insights on the potential success of programs in order to contribute to the necessary debate about the role and design of job search services run by governments in Spain.