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The Impact of Short-Term Employment for Low-Income Youth: Experimental Evidence from the Philippines

Author

Listed:
  • Beam, Emily A.

    (University of Vermont)

  • Quimbo, Stella

    (University of the Philippines, Quezon City)

Abstract

We use a randomized field experiment to test the causal impact of short-term work experience on employment and school enrollment among disadvantaged, in-school youth in the Philippines. This experience leads to a 4.4 percentage point (79-percent) increase in employment 8 to 12 months later. While we find no aggregate increase in enrollment, we also do not find that the employment gains push youth out of school. Our results are most consistent with work experience serving as a signal of unobservable applicant quality, and these findings highlight the role of temporary work as a stepping- stone to employment for low-income youth.

Suggested Citation

  • Beam, Emily A. & Quimbo, Stella, 2021. "The Impact of Short-Term Employment for Low-Income Youth: Experimental Evidence from the Philippines," IZA Discussion Papers 14661, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp14661
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    short-term employment; work experience; ALMP; experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J08 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics Policies
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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