Impact of evaluation of the vocational training institutes in the Punjab province, Pakistan

Abstract

This study examines the impact of the Vocational Training Institutes (VTIs) on employment in the Punjab province, Pakistan. I exploit the difference-in-difference and instrumental variable methods using data from Global Data Lab, Pakistan Board of Statistics (PBS) and Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC). I find an increase in the employment rate of Punjab province in response to the implementation of the VTIs. The female employment increased significantly, but the male employment did not increase. I also find no increase in the high-level employment as a falsification test. The results suggest that the vocational training program plays a crucial role in improving labor market outcomes and gender gap in developing countries.