Grand Challenges Canada Economic Returns to Mitigating Early Life Risks Project Working Paper Series
Document Type
Working Paper
Date of this Version
2-27-2014
Abstract
This paper estimates the short-and-medium-run effects of participating in a subsidized vocational training program aimed at improving labor market outcomes of women residing in low-income households in a developing country. We combine pre-intervention data with two rounds of post-intervention data from a field experiment to quantify the short-and-medium-run effects of the program. In the short-run, we find that program participants are significantly more likely to be employed, work additional hours, and earn more. These short-run impact estimates are all sustained in the medium-run. We also identify credit constraints, local access, and lack of proper child care support as important barriers to program participation and completion. We are able to rule out two alternative mechanisms - signalling and change in behavior that can drive these findings. Finally, a simple cost-benefit analysis suggests that the program is highly cost effective.
Keywords
Vocational Training, Panel Data, India, Economic Returns, Field Experiment
Recommended Citation
Maitra, Pushkar, and Subha Mani. 2014. "Learning and Earning: Evidence from a Randomized Evaluation in India." Grand Challenges Canada Economic Returns to Mitigating Early Life Risks Project Working Paper Series, 2014-14. https://repository.upenn.edu/gcc_economic_returns/14.
Date Posted: 28 March 2014
Comments
Maitra, Pushkar and Subha Mani. 2014. "Learning and Earning: Evidence from a Randomized Evaluation in India." GCC Working Paper Series, GCC 14-05.