Learning and Earning: Evidence from a Randomized Evaluation in India

Pushkar Maitra and Subha Mani

Fordham Economics Discussion Paper Series from Fordham University, Department of Economics

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; Field Experiment; Panel data; India (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I21 J19 J24 O15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cwa, nep-dev, nep-exp and nep-lab
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Learning and earning: Evidence from a randomized evaluation in India (2017)
Working Paper: Learning and Earning: Evidence from a Randomized Evaluation in India (2014)
Working Paper: Learning and Earning: Evidence from a Randomized Evaluation in India (2013)
Working Paper: Learning and Earning: Evidence from a Randomized Evaluation in India (2012)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:frd:wpaper:dp2013-02

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