Youth unemployment has been a decisive policy concern for both developing and developed economies, and many labor market interventions (for example, job training) have been put in place to bring unemployed youth into productive activities. This study conducts a randomized controlled trial of a job training program that provides on-the-job and classroom training to disadvantaged youth living in urban areas of Bangladesh. ITT results show that 12 months after the intervention, the program increases earnings by 28 percent (LATE is 48%) and this is mainly achieved by the substantial effects on women’s earnings. The effect on employment is positive though not statistically significant. Moreover, findings suggest that the program has increased hours worked, labor productivity, and career progression. The benefit-cost ratio of the program is estimated at 1.93, suggesting that the program can be scaled up cost-effectively.
Authors: Adiba, Afsana; Ahmed, Md. Shakil; Das, Narayan Chandra; Islam, Md. Karimul; Mozumder, Tanvir Ahmed; and Siddiquee, Muhammad Shahadat Hossain
Type: Journal Article
Publisher: The Journal of Development Studies
Year: 2025
