Firm Innovation and Tertiary Continuing Education

In recent years tertiary level continuing education (CE) has received increased attention in Denmark. We investigate how firms’ use of tertiary CE impacts innovation outcomes. Tertiary CE is relevant for firms’ innovation outcomes both by bringing specialised human capital to the firm and by strengthening collaborations with universities that can aid in the innovation process. We use survey and administrative data to show that firms with employees who have participated in tertiary level CE have a higher likelihood of innovating than firms without. The study suggests that policy should attempt to make tertiary level programmes more accessible.