Samuel Muehlemann

Professor of Human Resource Education and Development

My research focuses on Personnel Economics, Economics of Education, and Labor Economics. I am particularly interested in understanding the costs and benefits of apprenticeship training, hiring costs, and how firms invest in human capital. My recent work examines how AI adoption affects apprenticeship training and other forms of workplace training.

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New “Beggars cannot be choosers: Labor market tightness, hiring standards, wages, and hiring costs” — now out in Labour Economics (July 2026)

Research Areas

Personnel Economics, Economics of Education, Labor Economics

Apprenticeship & Workplace Training

Analyzing the costs and benefits of apprenticeship training for firms, the role of business cycles, firm investments in human capital, and the impact of AI adoption on workplace training.

Hiring Costs

Investigating the structure of hiring costs, labor market tightness, and how hiring costs affect firm decisions on training and recruitment.

Labor Market & Training Institutions

Studying how works councils, collective bargaining, and institutional frameworks affect training quality, training decisions, and labor market outcomes.

Skills Formation

Examining the role of foundational skills such as math in shaping school-to-apprenticeship transitions and labor market outcomes, as well as the development of soft skills through training.

Publications

Contributions to academic journals

Forthcoming

Do soft-skills courses pay for individuals? Evidence from German matched data

Gholami, M., & Muehlemann, S.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training (Accepted for publication)

2026

Beggars cannot be choosers: Labor market tightness, hiring standards, wages, and hiring costs

Linckh, C., Muehlemann, S., & Pfeifer, H.

Labour Economics, 102941 (Advance online publication)

2026

Pathways to prosperity: the role of cognitive and non-cognitive skills in employer quality and early career earnings

Gholami, M., & Muehlemann, S.

Education Economics (Advance online publication)

2026

Works councils and apprenticeship training: Heterogeneous works councils, heterogeneous effects?

Weis, K., Muehlemann, S., & Pfeifer, H.

British Journal of Industrial Relations, 64(2), 250-262

2025

Artificial intelligence adoption and workplace training

Muehlemann, S.

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 238, 107206

2022

Shocks in the market for apprenticeship training

Muehlemann, S., Dietrich, H., Pfann, G., & Pfeifer, H.

Economics of Education Review, 86, 102197

2020

The effect of business cycle expectations on the German apprenticeship market: Estimating the impact of Covid-19

Muehlemann, S., Pfeifer, H., & Wittek, B.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training, 12(1), 1-30

2019

So similar and yet so different: A firm's net costs and post-training benefits from apprenticeship training in Austria and Switzerland

Moretti, L., Mayerl, M., Muehlemann, S., Schlögl, P., & Wolter, S. C.

Evidence-based HRM, 7(2), 229-246

2019

Do works councils improve the quality of apprenticeship training? Evidence from German workplace data

Koch, B., Muehlemann, S., & Pfeifer, H.

Journal of Participation and Employee Ownership, 2(1), 47-59

2018

Hiring costs and labor market tightness

Muehlemann, S., & Strupler Leiser, M.

Labour Economics, 52, 122-131

2017

The costs of recruiting apprentices: Evidence from German workplace-level data

Wenzelmann, F., Muehlemann, S., & Pfeifer, H.

German Journal of Human Resource Management, 31(2), 108-131

2017

Can Spanish firms offer dual apprenticeships without making a net investment?

Muehlemann, S., & Wolter, S. C.

Evidence-based HRM, 5(1), 107-118

2016

The structure of hiring costs in Germany

Muehlemann, S., & Pfeifer, H.

Industrial Relations, 55(2), 193-218

2016

Hiring costs for skilled workers and the supply of firm-provided training

Blatter, M., Muehlemann, S., Schenker, S., & Wolter, S. C.

Oxford Economic Papers, 68(1), 238-257

2014

Return on investment of apprenticeship systems for enterprises

Muehlemann, S., & Wolter, S. C.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy, 3(25), 1-22

2014

Works councils, collective bargaining and apprenticeship training

Kriechel, B., Muehlemann, S., Pfeifer, H., & Schütte, M.

Industrial Relations, 53(2), 199-222

2013

Monopsony power, pay structure and training

Muehlemann, S., Ryan, P., & Wolter, S.C.

Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 66(5), 1095-1112

2012

The costs of hiring skilled workers

Blatter, M., Muehlemann, S., & Schenker, S.

European Economic Review, 56(1), 20-35

2011

Firm-sponsored training and poaching externalities in regional labor markets

Muehlemann, S., & Wolter, S. C.

Regional Science and Urban Economics, 41(6), 560-570

2010

The financing of apprenticeship training in the light of labor market regulations

Muehlemann, S., Pfeifer, H., Walden, G., Wenzelmann, F., & Wolter, S. C.

Labour Economics, 17(5), 799-809

2009

Apprenticeship training and the business cycle

Muehlemann, S., Wolter, S. C., & Wueest, A.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training, 1(2), 173-186

2009

Cost and benefit of apprenticeship training: A comparison of Germany and Switzerland

Muehlemann, S., Pfeifer, H., Walden, G., Wenzelmann, F., & Wolter, S. C.

Applied Economics Quarterly, 55(1), 7-37

2009

Ausbildung aus Produktions- oder Investitionsinteresse? Einschätzungen von Betrieben in Deutschland und der Schweiz

Dionisius, R., Muehlemann, S., Pfeifer, H., Schönfeld, G., Walden, G., Wenzelmann, F., & Wolter, S. C.

Zeitschrift für Berufs- und Wirtschaftspädagogik, 105(2), 267-284

2007

An empirical analysis of the decision to train apprentices

Muehlemann, S., Schweri, J., Winkelmann, R., & Wolter, S. C.

Labour, 21(3), 419-441

2007

Regional effects on employer-provided training: Evidence from apprenticeship training in Switzerland

Muehlemann, S., & Wolter, S. C.

Zeitschrift für ArbeitsmarktForschung, 40(2-3), 135-147

2006

Why some firms train apprentices and many others do not

Wolter, S. C., Muehlemann, S., & Schweri, J.

German Economic Review, 7(3), 249-264

Handbook Articles & Book Contributions

Chapters in handbooks, encyclopedias, and edited volumes

2025 Supply and demand shocks in apprenticeship markets and the role of institutions In Handbook on Education and the Labour Market, Edward Elgar
2021 Business cycles and apprenticeships Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Economics and Finance with S. C. Wolter
2020 The economics of vocational training In Economics of Education (2nd ed.), Elsevier with S. C. Wolter
2019 Measuring performance in vocational education and training and the employer's decision to invest in workplace training In Wiley Handbook on Vocational Education and Training, 187-206
2009 Vale la pena di formare apprendisti In Lavoro e formazione professionale: nuove sfide, Casagrande, 203-237 with S. C. Wolter
2007 Lehrlingsausbildung – ökonomisch betrachtet Rüegger Verlag with S. C. Wolter, M. Fuhrer & A. Wüest
2007 Warum einige Firmen Lehrlinge ausbilden – viele aber nicht In Bildung und Beschäftigung, Rüegger Verlag, 317-330 with J. Schweri & S. C. Wolter
2003 Kosten und Nutzen der Lehrlingsausbildung aus der Sicht Schweizer Betriebe Rüegger Verlag · official summary (PDF) Schweri, J., Muehlemann, S., Pescio, Y., Walther, B., Wolter, S. C., & Zürcher, L.

Policy Writing & Reports

Selected non-technical articles and reports for policy audiences

2026 KI in Betrieben: Mehr Ausbildung – aber Weiterbildung zunehmend für anspruchsvollere Tätigkeiten ifo Schnelldienst, 79(3), 9-13
2023 Übergang von der Schule in die Berufs(bildungs)welt: Alles besser in der Schweiz? ifo Schnelldienst, 76(12)
2023 Evaluating apprenticeship training programs for firms IZA World of Labor, 506 with H. Pfeifer
2021 The impact of COVID-19 on apprenticeship markets EENEE Ad hoc Report 1/2021, European Commission
2020 Auswirkungen der Coronakrise auf den Ausbildungsstellenmarkt: Was die Politik tun kann ifo Schnelldienst, 73(9), 19-22 with H. Pfeifer & B. Wittek
2020 Ausbildung ökonomisch betrachtet: Sieben Lektionen zu Kosten und Nutzen beruflicher Bildung aus Sicht von Unternehmen Bertelsmann Stiftung with S. C. Wolter
2019 The economics of apprenticeship training: Seven lessons learned from cost-benefit surveys and simulations J.P. Morgan Foundation & Bertelsmann Stiftung with S. C. Wolter
2018 Apprenticeship training in Italy – a cost-effective model for firms? New Skills at Work: J.P. Morgan, Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini & Bertelsmann Stiftung with S. C. Wolter & E. Joho
2016 The cost and benefits of work-based learning OECD Education Working Papers, No. 143
2016 Making apprenticeships profitable for firms and apprentices: The Swiss model Challenge, 59(5), 390-404
2015 Lehrlingsausbildungen nach Schweizer Vorbild als Weg aus der Jugendarbeitslosigkeit für Spanien Die Volkswirtschaft, 12/2015 with S. C. Wolter
2013 Return on investment of apprenticeship systems for enterprises EENEE Analytical Report No. 16, European Commission (journal version: IZA Journal of Labor Policy, 2014) with S. C. Wolter
2013 Personenfreizügigkeit dämpft den Fachkräftemangel in der Schweiz Die Volkswirtschaft, 6/2013 with S. C. Wolter
2011 Vollkommener Wettbewerb auf dem Schweizer Arbeitsmarkt? Die Volkswirtschaft, 3/2011 with S. C. Wolter
2009 Schulische Qualifikationen von Auszubildenden und das Ausbildungsverhalten der Betriebe Wirtschaft und Beruf, 12/2009, 20-21 with S. C. Wolter & M. Fuhrer
2009 Ausgebliebene Krise auf dem Schweizer Lehrstellenmarkt Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 14 October 2009, 30 with S. C. Wolter
2007 Lehrlingsausbildung lohnt sich Die Volkswirtschaft, 10/2007 with S. C. Wolter
2007 Bildungsqualität, demographischer Wandel, Struktur der Arbeitsmärkte und die Bereitschaft von Unternehmen, Lehrstellen anzubieten Wirtschaftspolitische Blätter, 1/2007, 57-72 with S. C. Wolter
2004 Warum Betriebe keine Lehrlinge ausbilden – und was man dagegen tun könnte Die Volkswirtschaft, 9/2004 with J. Schweri & S. C. Wolter

Teaching

Courses at LMU Munich and University of Zurich

PhD

Quantitative Methods

MBR (Master of Business Research), LMU Munich (2020-)

PhD

Apprenticeship Training: Institutions and Markets

Swiss Leading House VPET-ECON, University of Zurich (2018, 2019, 2022, 2024, 2026)

Master

Empirical Methods in Human Resource Education and Management

LMU Munich (2015-)

Master

Evidence-based Human Resource Development

LMU Munich (2015-; until 2024: Advanced Human Resource Development)

Master

Managing Education and Training in Firms/for Firms

University of Zurich (2015-)

Master

Political Economy of Vocational Education

LMU Munich (2025)

Bachelor

Institutionen und Berufsbildungspolitik HRE&M III

LMU Munich (2014-)

Curriculum Vitae

Academic background and professional experience

Academic Positions

2014 - Present

Professor of Human Resource Education and Development

LMU Munich School of Management, Germany

2015 - Present

Guest Lecturer

University of Zurich, Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics, Switzerland

2009 - 2014

Senior Research Associate / Deputy Head

University of Bern, Centre for Research in Economics of Education, Switzerland

Visiting Positions

2013 - 2014

Visiting Scholar

University of California, Berkeley, IRLE, USA

2009

Visiting Academic

King's College London, Department of Management, UK

Education

2008

Dr. rer. oec. (Economics), summa cum laude

University of Bern

2004

Lic. rer. pol. (Economics and Management)

University of Bern

2000 - 2001

Visiting Student (Honours Economics)

University of British Columbia

Fellowships & Affiliations

2022 - Present

Research Fellow

Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB)

2022 - Present

Research Fellow

ROA, Maastricht University

2012 - Present

Research Fellow

IZA@LISER Network (formerly IZA Institute of Labor Economics)

Keynotes & Policy Engagement

2024

Keynote on cost-benefit analyses of apprenticeship training

Second International Leading House Conference, University of Zurich

2022

Keynote on productivity effects of workplace training

Delegation from the University of Rosario and the Colombian government, Munich

2020

Expert in webinar on private-sector participation in TVET

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

2020

Keynote on why German firms invest in apprenticeship training

BIBB / IAB Conference on Firm-based Training Research

2018

Keynote on Italian apprenticeship models

European Vocational Skills Week of the European Commission, Milan

2017

Experts Meeting on cost-benefit methodology of apprenticeship programmes

International Labour Organisation (ILO), Geneva

2016

Presentations on measuring costs/benefits and regulating work-based learning

OECD Workshops on Work-based Learning, Bern

2015

Keynote on quality and cost-effectiveness in apprenticeship training

Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SBFI), Bern

2014

Roundtable on the business case for investing in VET

European Business Forum on Vocational Training, European Commission, Brussels

2014

Presentation on the Swiss VET system

Global Cities Education Network, Melbourne

Download Full CV (PDF)

Contact

Get in touch for research collaborations or inquiries

Contact Information

Email

muehlemann@lmu.de

Office

Ludwigstr. 28 (RG), Room 309
80539 Munich, Germany

Phone

+49 89 2180-5623

Postal Address

Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1
80539 Munich, Germany