Article 2026

The Effects of Job Training on Labour Market Outcomes: Evidence from Bangladesh

Journal of Development Studies
Journal · Vol. 62 · Issue 2 · pp. 240-262
Abstract

Youth unemployment has been a decisive policy concern for both developing and developed economies, and many labour market interventions (for example, job training) have been put in place to bring unemployed youth into productive activities. This study conducts a randomised controlled trial of a job training programme 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 programme increases earnings by 28 per cent (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 programme has increased hours worked, labour productivity, and career progression. The benefit-cost ratio of the programme is estimated at 1.93, suggesting that the programme can be scaled up cost-effectively. © 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Bangladesh job training labour market outcomes youth unemployment

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations
BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Department of Economics, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
References 10 References
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