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1. Training the Disadvantaged Youth and Labour Market Outcomes: Evidence from a Randomised Controlled Trial in Bangladesh

Author:
Narayan Das
Publication Date:
10-2018
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), Brac University
Abstract:
This paper estimates the effects of a youth training program in Bangladesh on labour market outcomes. The program provides on-the-job and classroom training to the disadvantaged and unemployed youth. On-the-job training is provided through apprenticeship under a local master craftsperson. Classroom training curriculum includes theoretical training on specific trades as well as soft-skills training. The program is implemented by BRAC, the largest NGO in the world. BRAC’s Research and Evaluation Division (BRAC-RED) conducted a Randomized Controlled Trial on the 2016 cohort of the program. A baseline survey was conducted in June 2016 covering 3,186 youths. In June-July 2017 a follow-up survey was conducted, successfully reaching 2,946 youths. Using the data generated by BRAC RED, I show that on-the-job training increases labour market participation of the program participants by 22.6 percentage points (59%), total time devoted to earning activities by 59%, and earnings by 44%. It increases both self- and wage-employment. The effect on employment is found to be larger for females. Additional effects of classroom training over on-the-job training on overall employment and earnings are small in magnitude. Results, however, indicate that if classroom training is added to on-the-job training, the effects shift from self- to wage employment. Results also show that employment in firms where the apprenticeship took place is a channel for the effect on wage employment. The benefit-cost ratio for on-the-job training is estimated to be 6.34, demonstrating high returns on the investment made under this initiative. It is also shown that the scale at which the program was implemented, employment effects for beneficiaries were not achieved through the displacement of non-beneficiaries.
Topic:
Youth, Labor Market, Skills, and Wages
Political Geography:
Bangladesh and South Asia

2. The Effects of Skill Training on Livelihoods: Evidence from BRAC’s Intervention on School Dropout Adolescents

Author:
Rehnuma Rahman, Atiya Rahman, Zion Rabbi Samadder, and Abdul Bayes
Publication Date:
01-2017
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), Brac University
Abstract:
The school dropout rate in Bangladesh is estimated to be about 40 per cent at the secondary level. The majority of the dropouts is most likely to remain unemployed or, if employed, engaged in low paying and hazardous work in the informal sector. With the aim of producing a well-trained and empowered youths, BRAC initiated ‘Skills Training for Advancing Resources (STAR)’ program in 2012. The program provides on the-job and classroom training in various informal trades to disadvantaged school dropout adolescents aged between 14-18 years. This study estimates the effects of the program on employment, earning levels, financial assets, empowerment and household-level welfare. The results show that the intervention succeeded in increasing labour market participation and earnings of the adolescents. The magnitude of the effect on earning is about six times the baseline mean level of earnings. Increased earnings of the adolescents translated into household welfare– as proxied by food expenditures and durable asset holdings. Evidence also shows the positive effects of the program on enhancing empowerment, improving self-confidence, and preventing substance abuse. Further, the intervention appears to have improved workplace environment and job satisfaction among school dropouts. The cost-benefit ratio of the intervention is found to be about 1:3.
Topic:
Employment, Labor Market, Skills, and Schools
Political Geography:
Bangladesh and South Asia

3. Unifying Social Identity: Community Skilled Birth Attendant

Author:
Ahrafuzzaman Khan and Md. Kamruzzaman
Publication Date:
07-2017
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), Brac University
Abstract:
Homebirth is regarded as the gold standard and the premier standard of birth. Community Skilled Birth Attendants (CSBA) received a six-month training in and out of class at skilled birth attendant (SBA) training institutes, approved by the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The trainees are involved in assisting the safe and clean delivery at home in rural Bangladesh. Many CSBAs are engaged in Government and non-government organizations in relation to providing birth attendant services in rural Bangladesh. The intention of HNPP, BRAC is to increase the number of CSBA in order to achieve MDG 5. The study explored the process of social identification of CSBAs. The notion of social identity has delineated a comprehensive account of social relations in the theory of practice of Pierre Bourdieu. Moreover, social relations explained the process of social identification employing the concept of self-categorization and social categorization. The study employed qualitative methods to explore the mechanisms of internal and social categorization of CSBAs. The findings reveal that CSBAs are known as BRAC health cadres in the community. They are struggling to establish their identity as trained midwives in the community. Despite some challenges of their professions, CSBAs are respected as ‘dactar or nurse apa’ by the villages. Professional training on SBA enables them to generate income and social prestige. TBAs and village doctors create constraints to perform the professional responsibilities of the CSBA in the community. On the other hand, the villagers are still bewildered about the terms as well as the roles and responsibilities of Shasthya Shebika (SS), Newborn Health Workers (NHWs), Shasthya Kormi (SK) and CSBA of HNPP, BRAC. They are confused about whether health providers of BRAC are required to pay for assisting home birth. The villagers also perceive that assisting to homebirth is considered a social norm rather than professional duty. Moreover, the villagers hardly found government service providers in this regard. Therefore, the study has outlined a number of recommendations for strengthening the profession of CSBAs of HNPP in BRAC.
Topic:
Identity, Birthing, Skills, and Care
Political Geography:
Bangladesh and South Asia