Vermittlungsgutscheine als neues Instrument der Arbeitsmarktpolitik : eine erste Analyse

This paper gives a first appraisal of the „Vermittlungsgutscheine“ the German government has recently created as a new instrument of labor market policy. This instrument is aimed at improving intermediation of unemployed people by inciting private recruiters to place individuals who were formerly advised by the state-run placement-agencies. We analyze the function of the placement intermediaries and discuss how they will respond to the new measure. It is argued that, mainly due to the amount and the short term of the tokens, private intermediaries will not participate in this programme significantly. We also look at the labour market and find that the unemployed individuals mostly do not match the skills the employers are looking for. Thus, we do not think that this instrument will have a noticeable effect on the labour market.