Same rules but different outcomes: regional disparities in permanent employment rates of a nation-wide reform of vocational apprenticeships

People with the same characteristics can experience very different permanent employment outcomes. This study exploits a unique setting in Italy to provide evidence on regional disparities in the commitment of the training provision and in the enforcement of the open-ended nature of vocational apprenticeships set out by a nation-wide reform. As a consequence, regional heterogeneity in permanent employment rates in both the short- and medium-run is estimated. Medium-run gains are possible even in absence of any impact at the baseline.