HOW EFFECTIVE ARE STATE EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES - JOBCENTRE USE AND JOB MATCHING IN BRITAIN

State sponsored employment agencies are an important source of job mat ching in Britain. This study tracks Jobcentre use in Britain over the previous decade and the effectiveness of Jobcentre use in securing ent ry into employment for those who utilise its services. Amongst the une mployed, use of Jobcentres is highly counter-cyclical. This can be att ributed principally to the changing composition of the stock over the economic cycle. In good times, there are relatively more short duratio n, voluntary quits in the stock, who tend to rely on Jobcentres least. Jobcentres are found to have a significant positive effect on the job entry rates of its clients. The greatest beneficial impact is amongst those, the low skilled and the long term unemployed with the lowest e xit rates from unemployment.