Youth employment has important implications for future economic growth, development, and stability. Globally, youth are unemployed at a rate three times higher than that of adults, with some countries facing even more acute youth underemployment crises.¹ How can we effectively create employment opportunities for young people?

On April 30, IPA held a webinar titled From Research to Policy in Youth Employment: Rigorous Evidence from Randomized Evaluations, the first in a three-part webinar series on rigorous evidence in education, from preparing young adults for the workforce to early childhood education to school management.

This first webinar covered examples of existing youth employment programs and provides insights into how they can be harnessed to improve employment opportunities. Laura Chioda (World Bank) and Paul Gertler (University of California, Berkeley) highlighted a leadership and entrepreneurship skill development program for secondary school students in Uganda and its impact on enrollment rates and graduates’ soft skills. Emily Beam (University of Vermont) discussed the effect of a national employment bridging program in the Philippines on education outcomes, youth employability, and employment. Finally, Patrick Premand (World Bank) and Bruno Crépon (Centre de Recherche en Économie et Statistique) showed how a subsidized dual apprenticeship program leads to a net increase of apprenticeship positions for youths and firms, while increasing youth earnings and productivity. Hermann Toualy (Bureau de Coordination des Programmes d’Emploi in Côte d’Ivoire) shared insights on using evidence to inform policy in Côte d’Ivoire, and Nathanael Goldberg (IPA) moderated a discussion and Q&A following the presentations.

Watch the webinar recording below:

Presenters:

• Laura Chioda, Senior Economist, The World Bank
• Paul Gertler, Li Ka Shing Professor of Economics, Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley
• Emily Beam, Assistant Professor, University of Vermont
• Bruno Crépon, Associate Professor, Centre de Recherche en Économie et Statistique
• Patrick Premand, Senior Economist, World Bank
• Hermann Toualy, Project Coordinator, Bureau de Coordination des Programmes d’Emploi, Côte d’Ivoire
• Nathanael Goldberg, Director of Sector Programs, IPA