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Does Vocational Education Work? Evidence from a Randomized Experiment in Mongolia

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  • Erica M. Field
  • Leigh L. Linden
  • Ofer Malamud
  • Daniel Rubenson
  • Shing-Yi Wang

Abstract

This paper estimates the impact of admission to formal vocational secondary programs on labor market outcomes in Mongolia. We conducted public lotteries to allocate scarce slots for approximately 8,000 students who applied to oversubscribed trades in 10 vocational schools during 2010, 2011, and 2012. We find that admission to oversubscribed vocational schools in Mongolia led to significantly higher employment, and increased earnings for women. These positive impacts appear to be due to the acquisition of more skills in specific trades, greater work intensity, and increased employment opportunities in high-paying sectors.

Suggested Citation

  • Erica M. Field & Leigh L. Linden & Ofer Malamud & Daniel Rubenson & Shing-Yi Wang, 2019. "Does Vocational Education Work? Evidence from a Randomized Experiment in Mongolia," NBER Working Papers 26092, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:26092
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    9. Cho, Yoon Y. & Kalomba, Davie & Mobarak, Ahmed Mushfiq & Orozco, Victor, 2013. "Gender Differences in the Effects of Vocational Training: Constraints on Women and Drop-Out Behavior," IZA Discussion Papers 7408, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
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    Cited by:

    1. Irene Kriesi & Juerg Schweri, 2019. "Types of Education, Achievement and Labour Market Integration over the Life Course," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 7(3), pages 58-64.
    2. Maria Laura Alzúa & Soyolmaa Batbekh & Altantsetseg Batchuluun & Bayarmaa Dalkhjav & José Galdo, 2021. "Demand-Driven Youth Training Programs: Experimental Evidence from Mongolia," The World Bank Economic Review, World Bank, vol. 35(3), pages 720-744.
    3. Vandenberg, Paul & Laranjo, Jade, 2021. "Vocational training and labor market outcomes in the Philippines," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    4. Fontenay, Sébastien & Tojerow, Ilan, 2022. "How Does Job Coaching Help Disability Insurance Recipients Work While on Claim?," IZA Discussion Papers 15386, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    5. Felipe Barrera-Osorio & Adriana D. Kugler & Mikko I. Silliman, 2021. "Job Training Through Turmoil," NBER Working Papers 29565, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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