Comparing the Impacts of Czech <scp>ALMP</scp> Training Programmes Implemented During the 2020 <scp>COVID</scp> ‐19 Pandemic to Programmes in 2016 and 2019

ABSTRACT This article focuses on the impacts of training programmes on leaving unemployment during the COVID‐19 period. The main issue addressed is uncertainty about the effects of ALMP programmes during the pandemic. We implemented the matched‐pairs quasi‐experimental design on administrative data from the 2016, 2019, and 2020 program implementation, counting 21,990 participants and controls. We found lower hazard rates of employment entry in absolute terms in the COVID‐19 period than before, but training programmes had greater positive impacts due to the economic cycle effect prevailing over implementation difficulties. The main conclusion is that the effects of training programmes during the COVID pandemic were sound because the situation among the disadvantaged worsened proportionally; on average, it took them much longer to find work than in the previous periods.