Economic Impacts of Professional Training in the Informal Sector: The Case of the Labor Force Training Program in Cote D'Ivoire

Abstract

The authors address the economic impact of the labor force training program (PAFPA) developed for the informal sector in C?te d'Ivoire. The data contain a subsample of the participants in the agricultural sector, tailoring sector, and the electronics sector, and a comparable control group of nonparticipants. The data have been analyzed using standard program evaluation tools, namely difference-in-difference estimators, in order to detect potential program impacts. The authors find positive economic impacts as a result of training received for some groups, namely women, the agricultural and electronics sectors, firms employing 1-3 individuals, and firms with 10 or more employees.