• Journal of Labour Economics
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.53-89
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• 2010

Curricula relevant to labor market needs are often designed with the goals of individual employment and regional development at the forefront. This study provided information on regional scope by investigating the extent and determinants of the geographic mobility of vocational high school graduates and the effects of that mobility on first-job wage rates. Geographic mobility was defined as being employed in other provinces in which vocational schools were located. About 38% of graduates were employed in other provinces. Geographic mobility was positively related to gender and human capital such as health, course of study, vocational certificate, and job training. Mobility led to higher wage rates even after controlling for sample selection bias. The implication is that vocational high school curricula which focus excessively on provincial concerns may weaken a workforce's effectiveness.