Research Insights: Can Education Protect Employment during Times of Economic Disruption?

Women with test scores above a secondary school admission threshold for preferred schools increase their years of education and entrance to university. Men increase neither years of schooling nor university attendance. Females with scores just above an admission threshold are significantly less likely to experience a job loss during the recession than those just below. Moreover, each year of education reduces the probability of job loss. The protective effects of education are related to workers attributes and not to job characteristics or access to childcare. Education, in and of itself, has a protective role during downturns.