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Conscientiousness and Labor Market Returns : Evidence from a Field Experiment in West Africa

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  • Allemand,Mathias
  • Kirchberger,Martina
  • Sveta Milusheva
  • Newman,Carol Frances
  • Roberts,Brent
  • Thorne,Vincent

Abstract

Despite extensive evidence on the importance of non-cognitive skills for labor market outcomes, to what extent training can affect specific skills in adulthood remains an open question. This paper conducts a randomized controlled trial with low-skilled employed workers in Senegal where workers were randomly assigned to receive a training intervention designed to affect conscientiousness-related skills. The study found that treated workers were significantly more likely to stay in their job and had higher earnings nine months after the intervention. The findings suggest that non-cognitive skills can be affected later in the life cycle and targeted training can have substantial labor market returns.

Suggested Citation

  • Allemand,Mathias & Kirchberger,Martina & Sveta Milusheva & Newman,Carol Frances & Roberts,Brent & Thorne,Vincent, 2023. "Conscientiousness and Labor Market Returns : Evidence from a Field Experiment in West Africa," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10378, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:10378
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    Cited by:

    1. Eliana Carranza & David McKenzie, 2024. "Job Training and Job Search Assistance Policies in Developing Countries," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 38(1), pages 221-244, Winter.
    2. Brudevold-Newman, Andrew & Ubfal, Diego, 2024. "Soft-skills, networking, and workforce entry: Impacts of a training program for recent graduates in Rwanda," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    3. Bernd Beber & Tabea Lakemann & Regina Schnars & Jann Lay, 2025. "Employment Effects of Skills Trainings in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review of Recent Randomized Controlled Trials," De Economist, Springer, vol. 173(1), pages 87-120, March.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • M53 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Training
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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