Work-related training and subjective well-being : estimating the effect of training participation on satisfaction, worries, and health in Germany

Industrialized countries rely on work-related training to update and enhance the skills of the workforce. Hence, participation in work-related training activities constitutes the majority of continuous education and training (CET) activities. While labor market effects of such training are well documented, causal studies on other nonpecuniary outcomes remain scarce. Using longitudinal data from the German SOEP for 2002 to 2014, we evaluate the effects of work-related training on measures of satisfaction, worry, and health as dimensions of subjective well-being. The analysis uses a regression-adjusted difference-in-differences estimator and entropy balancing to construct a group of nonparticipants that is similar across several socio-economic characteristics relative to the group of training participants. We show that work-related training decreases worry but does not affect satisfaction and health. Further analysis suggests that workers feel less worried when work-related training offers means to cope with complex and changing work environments.