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Evaluating Job Training in Two Chinese Cities

Author

Listed:
  • Benu Bidani

    (World Bank)

  • Niels-Hugo Blunch

    (The George Washington University)

  • Chor-ching Goh

    (World Bank)

  • Christopher J. O'Leary

    (W.E. Upjohn Institute)

Abstract

Recent years have seen a surge in the evidence on the impacts of active labor market programs for numerous countries. However, little evidence has been presented on the effectiveness of such programs in China. Recent economic reforms, associated massive lay-offs, and accompanying public retraining programs make China fertile ground for rigorous impact evaluations. This study evaluates retraining programs for laid-off workers in the cities of Shenyang and Wuhan using a comparison group design. To our knowledge, this is the first evaluation of its kind in China. The evidence suggests that retraining helped workers find jobs in Wuhan, but had little effect in Shenyang. However, in terms of earnings impacts, retraining appears to have increased earnings in Shenyang but not in Wuhan. The study raises questions about the overall effectiveness of retraining expenditures, and it offers some directions for policymakers about future interventions to help laid-off workers.

Suggested Citation

  • Benu Bidani & Niels-Hugo Blunch & Chor-ching Goh & Christopher J. O'Leary, 2005. "Evaluating Job Training in Two Chinese Cities," Upjohn Working Papers 05-111, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:upj:weupjo:05-111
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Benu Bidani & Niels-Hugo Blunch & Chor-Ching Goh & Christopher O'Leary, 2009. "Evaluating job training in two Chinese cities," Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 7(1), pages 77-94.
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    9. Dar, Amit & Gill, Indermit S, 1998. "Evaluating Retraining Programs in OECD Countries: Lessons Learned," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 13(1), pages 79-101, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhaoxin Dai & Yunfeng Hu & Guanhua Zhao, 2017. "The Suitability of Different Nighttime Light Data for GDP Estimation at Different Spatial Scales and Regional Levels," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-15, February.
    2. Benu Bidani & Niels-Hugo Blunch & Chor-Ching Goh & Christopher J. O'Leary & Zhongmin Wu, 2009. "Evaluating job training in two Chinese cities," Book chapters authored by Upjohn Institute researchers, in: China in the World Economy, pages 137-155, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.
    3. Janice Tripney & Mark Newman & Kimberly Hovish & Chris Brown, 2012. "PROTOCOL: Post‐basic Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Interventions to Improve Employability and Employment of TVET Graduates in Low‐ and Middle‐income Countries," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 8(1), pages 1-53.
    4. Janice Tripney & Jorge Hombrados & Mark Newman & Kimberly Hovish & Chris Brown & Katarzyna Steinka‐Fry & Eric Wilkey, 2013. "Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Interventions to Improve the Employability and Employment of Young People in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries: A Systematic Review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 9(1), pages 1-171.
    5. Gordon Betcherman & Niels-Hugo Blunch, 2008. "The limited job prospects of displaced workers: evidence from two cities in China," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 41(3), pages 187-207, September.
    6. World Bank, 2009. "China - From Poor Areas to Poor People : China’s Evolving Poverty Reduction Agenda - An Assessment of Poverty and Inequality in China," World Bank Publications - Reports 3033, The World Bank Group.
    7. World Bank, 2009. "China - From Poor Areas to Poor People : China’s Evolving Poverty Reduction Agenda - An Assessment of Poverty and Inequality in China," World Bank Publications - Reports 3031, The World Bank Group.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Active labor market programs; job training; impact evaluation; propensity score matching; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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