Characteristics and Motivation of Participants in the Self-Employment Training Demonstration
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Date
2016-06Author
Francis, Caroline Massad
Perez-Johnson, Irma
Amin, Samia
Anderson, Mary Anne
Mathematica Policy Research
Abstract
An important feature of the Self-Employment Training (SET) demonstration program is that it targets a narrow population. To qualify for SET, an individual must be a dislocated worker, unemployed worker, or underemployed worker and interested in starting a business in his or her field of expertise. This brief describes the characteristics of SET study participants, why they were interested in self-employment, and the resources or circumstances that could support or hinder their success as aspiring business owners. The sample includes people who applied to SET, were determined to be eligible, and were then randomly assigned to either the treatment group (and invited to participate in SET) or the control group (and not offered SET services). This brief draws on data provided by SET study participants when they applied for SET. Because the program is ongoing, it describes study participants who applied from July 8, 2013 to August 31, 2015 (n = 1,595). The study's final report, expected in fall 2018, will include data on the full sample of study participants, implementation study findings, and causal estimates on the impacts of the SET program.