A New Role for the Social Services: Fighting Unemployment in the Time of Covid-19

Following the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, the dramatic number of unemployed people has led institutions other than job centres to step in. Organisations normally devoted to social services have come together to fight the rising problem of occupational inactivity worsened by the current pandemic. In this analysis, we illustrate (i) who the occupationally inactive individuals most likely to reach out to the social services are, and (ii) the effectiveness of on-the-job training programmes organised by such institutions. We focus on the work of a Directorate of Social Services seated in Central Italy and targeting people unemployed or unable to work due to the SARS-CoV-2 crisis. Results show that individuals who apply for training programmes organised by social services are mostly men who are unemployed, receive a subsidy, and previously worked in the hotel and catering industry. Participation in the training programme implemented by the Directorate of Social Services seems to be especially beneficial for male candidates with secondary education and an employment history characterised by short-term employment.